President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigerians to exhibit love for one another and patriotism for the country, as they celebrate Easter.

Nigerian Christians are expected to join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Easter on Sunday and Monday.

ALLNEWS NIGERIA reported that the Federal Government already declared Friday and Monday public holidays for the celebration.

The President in his 2022 Easter message on Thursday, which he personally signed, enjoined Nigerians not to give up in the face of seemingly daunting challenges of life, assuring that Nigeria would soon overcome its uncertainty and security challenges.

He called on Nigerians to continue to show love to one another, rather than hate, and to also show more patriotism to the general good of society.

President Buhari urged all Christians to allow love and the spirit of forgiveness radiate during this period which also coincides with the Muslim fasting.

Buhari noted that “ this year’s celebration is very unique for adherents of the two great faiths in Nigeria.

According to him, “It culminates the 40-day season of Lent for Christians, where the faithful are expected to fast, pray, assist the poor, abhor injustice and strife, give alms, penitently engage in self-examination and repentance of sins. similar values apply to the Muslim faithful, currently about half-way into the holy month of Ramadan.”

The message reads: “I join our Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate this year’s Easter, which is the most significant event/festival in the Christian calendar.

“This year’s celebration is very unique for adherents of the two great faiths in Nigeria. It culminates the 40-day season of Lent for Christians, where the faithful are expected to fast, pray, assist the poor, abhor injustice and strife, give alms, penitently engage in self-examination and repentance of sins.

“Similar values apply to the Muslim faithful, currently about half-way into the holy month of Ramadan.

“For us as a nation, the message of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and burial, reminds us of the power of divine love, faith and redemption.

“Easter also evokes in us the resilience of the human spirit not to give up in the face of seemingly daunting challenges of life. This period emboldens us to believe that the current spate of uncertainty and insecurity will soon unfold a season of triumph of good over evil; hope over despair, and light over darkness.

“I urge us to increase our love for one another rather than hate, and show more patriotism, as this is the only country we have.

“I enjoin us therefore, to live out the eternal words of Jesus Christ on the cross: ‘’Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing’.

“Let us remember that the scriptural emphasis of love has so much relevance for us today as a nation more than ever before, and thus contribute towards its peace and development.

“As we approach another season of electioneering, let the security and unity of the nation guide our actions and utterances.

“I wish all Nigerians a joyful and blessed Easter.”