Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on Christians across the country to use the Easter celebration to pray for sustainable peace and economic growth in the country.

Saraki, in his message to mark the Easter festivities being held in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by Christians across the world, said it is imperative for all Nigerians to borrow a leaf from the humility and sacrifice exhibited by Christ when he yielded his life for the redemption of mankind.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki commended the Christian community for their fast and prayers during the Lenten season and urged them to sustain the tempo for the continued peace and unity of the nation. He reminded the Christian faithful of the need to remain steadfast and always promote religious harmony between and among various groups as a panacea for development.

He also commended the Federal Government for the significant increase in the level of security across the country in recent times, and called on the security agencies to redouble their efforts to once again ensure a smooth and hitch-free Easter celebration.

His words: “Even though we still have a long way to go in restoring full security across the country and ensuring the safe-return of our internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their local communities, let us be rest-assured that the end to insurgency and mindless attacks unleashed on innocent Nigerians in some sections of the country by the Boko Haram insurgents is in sight.

“This is the more reason I urge all Nigerians - irrespective of region, religion and ethnic affiliation – to increase their support for the efforts of the Federal Government aimed at nipping the menace of Boko Haram and all other noticeable shades of criminality in the bud, for good and in the shortest possible time.”

He, however, assured that the National Assembly would continue to make legislations, including the review and amendment of existing ones, to boost security, create conducive business and investment environment, support the fight against corruption and block leakages in the system, to bring about desired economic buoyancy in the country.

•Photo shows Saraki.

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