By Ayomide Otitoju
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged Nigerians to embrace hope, resilience, and renewal, drawing inspiration from the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the nation faces economic, security, and governance challenges.
In his 2026 Easter message, the CBCN President reflected on the recently concluded Lenten season, describing it as a period of self-examination, repentance, and spiritual preparation culminating in the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. “On behalf of all Catholic Bishops in Nigeria, I greet you with the transformative joy of the Risen Lord: Happy Easter! Christ is Risen, Alleluia!” he said.
Acknowledging the hardships many Nigerians continue to endure, including insurgency, kidnappings, armed banditry, and the long-term effects of poor leadership, the CBCN President likened the nation’s current struggles to the despair experienced by the disciples of Jesus before His resurrection. He called on citizens to draw strength from the message of Easter, emphasizing that “just as the stone of darkness and limitation was rolled back on that first Easter Sunday, bringing hope to the hopeless, so too may the heavy stone of anguish and pain caused by bad leadership be rolled back from the hearts and lives of Nigerians.”
The Bishops’ message stressed the importance of sustained hope and prayer, noting that “the power of the Resurrection assures us that weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Referencing biblical teachings, the President reassured Nigerians that God remains present in their struggles, even amid despair and injustice.
Turning to the upcoming 2027 general elections, the CBCN urged citizens to exercise their civic duties responsibly. Voter apathy, the message warned, undermines the common good. Eligible voters were encouraged to verify their registration and participate actively, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was called upon to ensure transparent, accessible, and credible elections.
The Easter message also addressed Nigerians affected by violence, communal attacks, unemployment, and loss, offering hope in the resurrection as a metaphor for national renewal. “Because the tomb is empty, no grave, not even the challenges facing Nigeria, can hold back the power of a new beginning. The dawn is coming. Don’t let go now, hold on to hope! The Risen Christ is proof that even the deepest darkness must eventually give way to light,” the Bishops said.
The CBCN President concluded by wishing all Nigerians a joyful Easter and prayed for comfort for the bereaved, and for peace, prosperity, and national restoration.
