Easter: Embrace Unity, Sincerity of Purpose, Alaafin Urges Nigerians

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has urged Nigerians to embrace unity and sincerity of purpose as they celebrate Easter, describing the season as one marked by love, appreciation for God’s grace to mankind, goodwill towards neighbours, and renewed expectations of divine blessings.

The Monarch noted that unity will help transform the nation, heal relationships, and give Nigerians the polity of their dreams.

Alaafin stated this in his Easter message, signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye, made available to TVC News on Friday.

Alaafin said, “If we love with the spirit of Easter in our hearts, governance would work, electoral reforms would be easier to accomplish, funds would be judiciously utilised for the good of the larger number, the leadership would love and cherish the led. That is the essence of Easter, which we commend to all Nigerians, indeed, to all humanity at this time.”

The monarch reflected on how love led Jesus to the cross, noting that without a heart overflowing with love, He would not have offered Himself as a sacrifice.

“At this time in our country, we commend this love to all citizens. Love that considers others first, love that prefers others above personal and selfish desires, love that seeks to emancipate, to unshackle and liberate. Love, sincerity of purpose, sense of commitment and patriotism will take us above internecine killings and other divisive tendencies. Let every Nigerian imbibe all these,” The Monarch added.

Alaafin condemned insecurity, noting that banditry must be tackled to help national development.

He also warned that there is an urgent need to collectively rise against the terror inflicted by those he described as “blood guzzlers who have no regard for the sanctity of human lives”, stressing that, as citizens, Nigerians must accept that collective sacrifice is inevitable, noting that peace has a price, which must be paid by all.

“Banditry must be stopped for the development of our country because it fundamentally disrupts the social, economic, and political structures necessary for progress. It creates pervasive insecurity, destroying livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, which leads to food insecurity and deepens poverty. Furthermore, it stifles investment, undermines state authority, and forces the diversion of public funds from development projects to security spending,” Alaafin emphasised.