Abuja: The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has condemned the recent killings in the country and urged Nigerians to uphold love and respect for one another during the Holy Week and beyond. Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of NCPC, conveyed this message in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Holy Week is a significant period in the Christian calendar that commemorates the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Adegbite highlighted that this period, beginning with Palm Sunday, marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, symbolizing the start of his journey to the cross.
Adegbite stressed the importance of Nigerians shunning violence and embracing love and respect, particularly during this Holy Week. He emphasized that these values are crucial for building a harmonious society. He reminded Nigerians that they have the power to choose to protect lives and remain law-abiding citizens, as each person is a leader in their own way.
“In the marketplace, you are also the president. This is because the President cannot do everything and be everywhere. If you do your bit, I do my bit, we will be moving forward,” Adegbite stated, emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens in fostering peace and legality.
Adegbite further referenced the Bible, specifically the Mosaic Law and Christ’s teachings, to emphasize the importance of loving one’s neighbor and respecting the life of others. He cited, “‘According to the Mosaic law, thou shalt not kill is one of the 10 commandments and when Christ reduced it to two, he said, Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one God. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with your entire mind, and with all your soul. That is the first commandment and the second is like this. Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Highlighting the coincidence of Lent and Ramadan this year, Adegbite interpreted it as a divine message to live in peace, not just in Nigeria but worldwide. He invoked Romans chapter 12 verse 18, which encourages peaceful coexistence, stating, “If possible, live peacefully with all, and when you are in peace with people, you will have joy and more blessings and it will be well with all.”
Adegbite urged Nigerians to maintain holiness beyond the Holy Week and not revert to their old ways after Lent. “We need peace in the world. Let it start from our hearts. Let it start from our relationship with the next person and it shall be well with Nigeria and Nigerians,” he concluded.
