Bishop Okupevi Urges Nigerians to Showcase New Lives of Love and Justice
In a powerful Easter address, the Rt. Revd. Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi, Bishop of Lagos in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has charged citizens to embrace a transformative way of life characterized by righteousness, love, justice, and peace. Delivering his message in Lagos, he emphasized that the resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate declaration of God's power over death, offering hope amid national challenges.
Easter Message Amid National Realities
Bishop Okupevi highlighted that this year's Easter is celebrated against a backdrop of complex realities facing Nigeria. He noted that many Nigerians continue to endure economic hardship, insecurity, uncertainty, and a daily struggle to maintain hope in difficult times. However, he asserted that the Easter message speaks directly into such a season, providing a beacon of renewal and restoration.
"The resurrection assures us that even when situations appear hopeless, lifeless, and beyond recovery, God is able to bring forth new life," Okupevi stated. "Easter proclaims that no condition is beyond redemption and no circumstance is beyond the transforming power of God."
Call for National Renewal and Unity
The cleric reiterated that the resurrection of Jesus Christ holds profound relevance for Nigeria's national life. He called on Nigerians to believe that renewal is possible, restoration can come, and the story of the nation is not finished. Expressing strong faith, Okupevi drew a parallel to the stone rolled away from Jesus Christ's tomb, declaring that God will remove obstacles hindering collective progress and peace in the country.
He reminded citizens that Easter challenges them to reject hopelessness and embrace faith in God's ability to bring transformation. "The celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection challenges leaders at every level to embrace responsibility with humility and a renewed commitment to the common good," he added. "It also calls citizens to cultivate unity above division, compassion above indifference, and truth above falsehood."
This Easter message serves as a clarion call for Nigerians to foster a society built on ethical values and mutual respect, aiming to inspire positive change in workplaces and communities across the nation.
