From David Eze, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has called on Christains in Nigeria and Ebonyi State in particular to use this season of Easter festivity to pray for peace, remain united, eschew bitterness and ensure end to bloodletting.
Umahi in an Easter Message he personally signed in Abakaliki emphasised the need for the people to also pray for amicable resolution of all the challenges facing the state and the nation in general.
He said that the cerebration is coming at a time when most segments of the world are either passing through one chaotic situations or the other, Ebonyi State not being an exception.
He said: “Particularly for us in Ebonyi State, this year’s easter is coming at the time we are faced with the daunting challenges of finding amicable solutions to the intractable crises between Effium and Ezza Effium, Abaomege and Ishinkwo, Enyigba and Enyibichiri and other pockets of hostilities in parts of the State”.
“The recent massacre of our brothers of Egedegede in Ishielu Local Government Area by marauding herders is not an exception”.
“Let this lesson and impulse of love and amity drive us to find far-reaching solutions to the barrage of blood bath in parts of the State and beyond”.
“As Jesus triumphed over death, we will also triumph over every agent of disunity be it communal wars or herder’s attack. As your Leader, I feel your pain. What affects you affects me and what affects me, affects you”.
“The death of any Ebonyian diminishes me. That is why we are fighting the hostilities with all the wisdom of God in us. We trust God, that at the end of the day, we shall triumph.
“According to a proverb in Tibet, “tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength; I charge you that though these may be the times that try the hearts of men, we should not lose hope. Let us stand firm in the belief that this trial of our faith, though it is tried with the fire of hostilities, shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at this season of God’s love”.