By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Bishop of the Diocese of Nike (Anglican Communion), Christian O. Onyia, has called on Nigerians to embrace forgiveness as a moral, spiritual, and civic imperative for national renewal.

In an Easter message issued Saturday, Onyia said forgiveness remains central to the nation’s healing, citing Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The cleric said: “As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ this Easter, we are reminded that forgiveness is not optional,” adding: “Christ’s triumph over death calls us to rise above bitterness, resentment, and division, embodying His compassion in our families, communities, and nation.”

He announced that the Diocese had adopted “The Forgiven Must Be Forgiving” as its 2026 Synod theme, stressing: “The forgiven must be forgiving.”

According to him, the Synod would be held in a rural community, where the Church would combine evangelism with outreach programmes, including health services, food support, scholarships, financial assistance, trauma counselling, and spiritual mentorship.

Onyia said: “Forgiveness is a moral and civic necessity in a nation burdened by poverty, violence, mistrust, and unresolved grievances,” adding that it “interrupts cycles of retaliation, restores dignity, opens pathways to dialogue, and enables reconciliation.”

He further stated, “Nigeria’s future will not be secured by weapons, policies, or elections alone,” noting: “It will be secured when a forgiven people becomes a forgiving people.”

The Bishop added: “As we celebrate the risen Christ, may His resurrection power inspire us to forgive, reconcile, and rebuild our nation on the enduring foundations of truth, justice, and love.”