Easter: Oku Ibom Ibibio Calls On Christians To Emulate the Sacrificial Life Of Christ
by Edidiong Albert
The Oku Ibom Ibibio and Patriarch of the Ibibios, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk has urged Christians and faithful to emulate the exemplary life of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Dr. Etuk, who is the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs and Chancellor of the University of Akwa Ibom State, says the mission of Jesus Christ on earth, culminating in his death and resurrection, demonstrates practically his love to save believers and humanity in general.
The premier traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom State, in his Easter Message, urged leaders to be exemplary in their conducts by being honest, fair and committed in carrying out their responsibilities to their people, communities, states and nations, as Jesus Christ did without blemish.
According to him, “Easter is a very solemn season for Christians and the world in general. It reminds us of the messianic role of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection became the atonement for our sins and also renewed our sonship with the Almighty God as stated in Galatians 4:4-7.
“As faithful and leaders, we have to therefore reflect on the life of Jesus Christ. We have to follow his footsteps by loving one another, being honest, selfless and dedicated in our responsibilities at all times.
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“The crisis we have today in some parts of the country and the world at large is simply the absence of love and discipline. There is so much greed, disunity and covetousness in the society.”
The patriarch further stressed the need for leaders to eschew acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and development of the society and to care for their subjects satisfactorily
He stated, “We can successfully overcome these vices and atrocious acts if we imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ as well espoused by his mission to world. I therefore appeal to all faithful and leaders to eschew those tendencies that are antithetical to peace, love and development. Evil must be eschewed in all ramifications in the society.
“Political, religious and traditional leaders must show good examples so that our followers can learn from them. This is what God wants. We cannot claim to be good Christians if we fail to practice his ways and what he taught us by doing same in our daily conduct and live in peace and love with one another so that the world can be a better place for us all.
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“Obviously, this Easter reminds us of the genuine love shown to us by our father in heaven for sending his only beloved son to us to sacrifice his precious life on our behalf. Love and sacrifice is therefore the essence of the Easter, hence it is expected of us to express love to one another beyond the boundaries of families and friends.”
The premier royal father used the occasion to “appeal to communities, youths and groups to stop the wanton destruction of lives and property. No boundary dispute is worth the lives of people. Let us stop this carnage. It is through love and togetherness that we can build our societies and states to desirable levels.”
The Oku Ibom Ibibio on behalf of his family, Ifim Ibom Ibibio and Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, expressed his best wishes to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the entire people of the state and the world at large.
