ABUJA- The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has condemned the recent killings in the country and urged Nigerians to uphold love and respect for one another during the Holy Week and beyond.
Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary, NCPC gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the Holy Week is a significant period in the Christian calendar that commemorates the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Adegbite said that the week which began with the Palm Sunday marked Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, symbolising the start of his journey to the cross.
According to him, the call for Nigerians to shun killings and embrace love and respect is imperative particularly in this Holy week because the values are essential for building a harmonious society.
He noted that Nigerians have the power to choose to protect lives and be law abiding because everyone was a leader in their own way.
“In the marketplace, you are also the president. This is because the President cannot do everything and be everywhere.
“If you do your bit, I do my bit, we will be moving forward. If you go to other nations where things are working, everybody obey the law and respect the lives of others.
“People should not be barbaric and think they to be carnivorous animals, killing people for nothing and are not bothered and disturbed.
“In the Holy Quran or Bible, you can never find such,” he said.
Adegbite referenced the Bible, specifically the Mosaic Law and Christ’s teachings, to emphasise the importance of loving one’s neighbour and respecting the life of others.
“According to the Mosaic law, thou shalt not kill is one of the 10 commandments and when Christ reduced it to two, he said, Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one God.
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with your entire mind, and with all your soul. That is the first commandment and the second is like this. Love your neighbour as yourself.
“If you love your neighbour, will you kill him? So what is the problem? Let everybody know what they are doing at this period.”
The NCPC Executive Secretary highlighted the coincidence of Lent and Ramadan this year as a message from God to live in peace, not just in Nigeria but worldwide.
He said that Romans chapter 12 verse 18 encouraged citizenship.
”If possible, live peacefully with all, and when you are in peace with people, you will have joy and more blessings and it will be well with all.
“So keep yourself holy beyond the Holy Week, do not go back to your old ways of life after Lent.
“It is good to do good because when you are in the Lord, you are more than a majority and God will continue to protect you, guide you, and lead you.
“We need peace in the world. Let it start from our hearts. Let it start from our relationship with the next person and it shall be well with Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said. (NAN)
