30th March, 2024
As Christians celebrate Easter, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has called on children obey their parents, shun all forms of social vices and be committed to their education.
She also charged them to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and sacrifice for one another.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Saturday at the 2024 Lagos State Family Easter Fiesta organised by the Office of the First Lady.
She said beyond the celebration, she encouraged the the children not to lose track of the significance of the Easter Season.
“I urge you all to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and sacrifice for one another, which Jesus Christ demonstrated throughout his period on earth.
“Let me stress, that the resurrection of Christ should be a constant reminder for everyone to extend the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice, and tolerance,” she said.
Sanwo-Olu added that besides tradition, the Family Easter Fiesta also provided a unique platform to pray for children, admonish them with the word of God, show them love and care, listen to their yearnings and aspirations, and share in their excitement, while also presenting them with amazing gifts to truly make the Easter celebration worthwhile and memorable.
“My special Easter message and admonition to the children is for you to obey your parents, shun all forms of vices, be committed to your education, and most importantly let the fear of God reign supreme in you.
“I also call for the collective prayers of everyone during this season for the peace and progress of Dear Nation and State. I am certain that by this collective efforts, God will prevail over our Nation.
“For us at the Office of the First Lady, we have not relented in complementing the efforts of the State Government in reaching out to all residents and the children,” she stated.
Earlier, Sanwo-Olu said the Family Easter Fiesta was introduced by her Office in 2021 as a landmark event in line with the essence of the season and had been sustained over the years with great improvement.
The First Lady said the resurrection of Christ signified the central doctrine in Christianity and firmly symbolized the greatest love of God for mankind, saying Jesus paid the supreme price to reconnect humanity with divinity, after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
“Through the victory of Christ over death, all believers will subsequently have a taste of his victory over sin and death.
“To this end, Easter represents an important season for Christians and is celebrated globally as a time to reinforce the virtues of sacrifice, charity, love, and absolute faith in God,’ she said.
Sanwo-Olu stated that in line with this celebration, the Easter Family Fiesta has been sustained by her office in the calendar of activities in the state to commemorate the significance of Easter and celebrate with the families, especially the children across the state.