AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
As Christians across Nigeria join the global community in celebrating Easter, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on citizens to look to Jesus Christ for hope and strength in the face of the country’s current challenges.
In a heartfelt Easter message, PFN President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, emphasized the power of Christ’s resurrection as a symbol of victory over despair, urging believers to remain steadfast in faith and love.
Bishop Wale Oke noted that Easter is not only a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ but also a reminder of God’s unwavering love for humanity. He stated that Christ’s triumph over death serves as a source of encouragement for Nigerians who are currently grappling with various crises. “Easter is a powerful reminder of God’s unfailing love… and the promise of hope even in our darkest hours,” he said.
Addressing the ongoing insecurity plaguing the country, especially in Plateau and Benue States, the PFN president decried the persistent killings and displacement of citizens. He stressed that the message of the risen Christ is especially relevant in a nation “facing persistent security threats, mass killings, and deep economic hardship.”
He encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, emphasizing that just as Jesus overcame the grave, so can the nation overcome its tribulations.
Bishop Wale Oke acknowledged the immense pain many Nigerians are enduring due to food insecurity, joblessness, and violence. He urged citizens, particularly Christians, to hold on to hope and resist being overwhelmed by despair. “Our faith must remain resilient, our love for one another steadfast, and our prayers ceaseless,” he said.
He further charged the Church to step beyond its spiritual duties and actively support communities through acts of compassion, justice, and solidarity. “Let our hands be instruments of peace, our voices advocates of justice, and our hearts vessels of grace,” he said, calling on Christians to reflect Christ not just in words but also through their actions.
In a strong message to political leaders, the PFN called for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity and economic distress across the country. Bishop Wale Oke condemned what he described as the complacency and false narratives surrounding ongoing violence, and demanded leadership marked by “truth, integrity, and compassion.” He stated that such leadership is essential for national healing and restoration.
He also urged Christians to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and prayerful, encouraging them to act with courage and love rather than fear. Quoting 2 Timothy 1:7, he reminded believers to walk in the spirit of “power, love, and sound mind,” and prayed for a rebirth of peace, justice, and prosperity in Nigeria through faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings.
Concluding the Easter message, Bishop Wale Oke extended warm greetings to families across the nation. He prayed that the season would bring spiritual renewal, joy, and peace to all homes. “Christ is risen indeed—Hallelujah!” he declared, reaffirming the core message of Easter: the triumph of life over death and hope over despair.
