As Christians across the globe mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, has sent a message of hope to the faithful in Nigeria.
Mr. Ozigbo described this year’s Easter as “one never seen before” because of the prevailing social and economic disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in a video message emailed to the press on Sunday, April 12, 2020.
He called on Christians to draw courage from their faith in this difficult time, while not losing the true essence for the season, which is the bedrock of salvation and Christianity.
This is an Easter like no other. Despite the impact of #COVID19, we should remember we owe our Christian faith to Easter because without the #Resurrection, we would not be be saved, and thus, would not be Christians. pic.twitter.com/YvG1zee9F8
— Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (@valentineozigbo) April 12, 2020
“This year, the Easter celebration will be one like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things,” Mr. Ozigbo remarked.
“But there is something it must not change, that is the significance of Easter.
“It is the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. And this singular act is by far the most important in the entire celebrations in Christendom.
“This is because, without the resurrection, there is no salvation, and there is no Christianity,” he stressed.
Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group Chief Executive of Transcorp Plc, also called for a spirit of generosity and expression of love in the hearts of Christians, in homes, and in communities. He reminded Christians that love is what Christ is.
“I urge every one of us to pay heed to Easter celebration in our hearts, our homes, and our neighbours’ lives,” he said.
“In our hearts, to bring the message of salvation. In our homes, the warmth of celebration and figure out how to still have fun on Easter Day. And in our neighbours’ lives, be generous and share the love because that is what Christ is.”
In an appearance on Saturday on AIT’s ‘COVID-19 Watch‘ programme, Ozigbo also called for an increased spirit of generosity at this time. “Now, is the time we must give more than we have ever given, to help our brothers and sisters, who are less fortunate to get through this time,” he urged.
Through his charity, Chineto Ozigbo Foundation, the respected business leader, has carried out COVID-19 outreaches worth over N20 million to vulnerable communities in his home state of Anambra. Thousands of bags of rice, thousands of bottles of hand sanitizers and face masks, along with educational materials on coronavirus prevention have been distributed in over 60 communities in the southeastern state.
Ozigbo, who prayed God to continue to safeguard the lives of his children, urged Nigerian Christians to be of good cheer and look up to God for redemption, even as he wished all Nigerians a happy Easter celebration.
