As Christians across the globe celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, hope, and national unity.

This charge was contained in his Easter message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, on Sunday in Abuja.

Prof. Yilwatda described Easter as the cornerstone of the Christian faith and a season that powerfully reminds believers of the redemptive sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to him, Easter is not only a period of celebration for Christians but also a solemn moment of reflection on the deeper lessons of faith, resilience, forgiveness, humility, and hope in the face of adversity.

“Easter teaches us that sacrifice is the pathway to glory, that suffering is never the end of the story, and that with faith in God, hope can rise again even in difficult times,” he stated.

The APC National Chairman noted that the message of Easter remains profoundly relevant to Nigeria’s present realities, calling on citizens to draw inspiration from the resurrection story and remain steadfast in faith and patriotism despite the challenges confronting the nation.

He urged Christians to use the Easter period to recommit themselves to the virtues of righteousness, compassion, unity, prayer, and service to humanity, stressing that the nation needs men and women who will not only profess faith but also live out its values in public and private life.

Yilwatda also expressed deep concern over the security challenges facing parts of the country and commiserated with families and communities affected by acts of violence, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality.

He stated that the pain and losses suffered by many Nigerians remain a source of collective national grief and called for greater solidarity, vigilance, and cooperation among citizens and institutions in the effort to restore peace and security across the country.

“At a time like this, we must not allow fear, division, or despair to define us as a people. Rather, we must stand together in unity and resolve, trusting God and supporting all lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace, order, and safety in our communities,” he said.

Prof. Yilwatda acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in tackling insecurity and stabilising the country, noting that the Federal Government has continued to demonstrate commitment through strategic interventions, institutional reforms, and renewed support for the nation’s security architecture.

He urged continued collaboration among all levels of government, security agencies, community leaders, faith institutions, and citizens to ensure that peace, justice, and security prevail across the federation.

The APC National Chairman further called on Nigerians to use the Easter season as an opportunity to pray for the nation, its leaders, security personnel, and all those who continue to bear the burden of national service.

“This is a time for prayer, reflection, and renewed hope. As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must also pray for the renewal of our nation; for healing where there is pain, peace where there is conflict, and hope where there is despair,” he added.

He expressed confidence that with faith in God, responsible leadership, and collective commitment to national unity and progress, Nigeria will overcome its present challenges and emerge stronger.

Prof Yilwatda concluded by wishing all Christians a peaceful and spiritually fulfilling Easter celebration and urged all Nigerians to remain hopeful, law-abiding, and committed to the shared task of building a secure, united, and prosperous nation.

“May the message of Easter renew our faith, strengthen our unity, and inspire a brighter future for our dear country. Happy Easter to all Nigerians,” he said.