****as Kogi Poly Rector tasks Christians on submissiveness to God, peaceful coexistence
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
SPEAKER of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf has urged Christians in the country to be fervent in their prayers for leaders at all levels as they celebrate the 2025 Easter.
The call was contained in a Press statement from the Speaker to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lokoja by his Chief Press Secretary, Yabagi Mohammed.
According to the Statement, the Speaker said the lessons of the period as scripted in the Holy Bible, should guide their conduct, as he noted that selflessness in the face anguish as well as sacrifice and eventual victory, form part of the essence of the occasion.
The speaker noted that Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday through to Easter Sunday, constitute a solemn period which requires self reflection and the need to be forgiving and concentrate on the divinity of the times for a better society.
He noted that the challenging times being faced globally required concerted efforts at seeking the face of God through prayers, stressing the need for those celebrating the period to stand in the gap in prayers for others for a better society to evolve.
According to him, as leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo mean well for the country and the state.
He expressed the hope that the reforms of the current Federal Government would begin to bear fruits in no distant time to ease the difficulties being faced by citizens.
The Speaker pledged that members the 8th Assembly in the state would continue to make laws for the good of all the citizens, saying that the present crop of Kogi Assembly members were legislators with compassion.
Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf said they had always engaged in regular consultations with the Executive on how to bring succour to the people and would continue to do so in the interest of the citizens.
He further applauded Governor Ododo for his show of compassion, dedication and care for the welfare of the State, noting that his genuine efforts had made life a bit bearable for the citizens in the face of the prevailing hardships.
The Speaker restated his call on the Christian Community in the state to always remember leaders in the place of prayers for the success of government and the overall betterment of Kogi people.
In same vein, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, has called on Christians to imbibe the spirit of submissiveness to God Almighty, love, peace and selflessness commitments as exemplified in Christ’s passion and resurrection.
In a message which he personally signed, Prof. Ogbo Usman on behalf of the Management, Academic Board, staff and students of the Polytechnic, felicitated with Christians, the people and government of Kogi State on the occasion of the 2025 Easter Celebration.
“I pray that the spirit of Easter as embodied in Christ’s life and teachings guide us into submissiveness to God Almighty, radiating love, peace and selfless commitments.
“Let us reflect on the symbolic selflessness of Christ to empathise with and care for one another and avoid divisive and destructive tendencies.
“It is my sincere prayer that we take advantage of this solemn moment to work towards the advancement of Kogi State Polytechnic in particular, and Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole”, he said. (Ends)