Today is Holy Saturday, the final day of the Lenten season. The holiday “commemorates the final day of Christ’s death,” which many Christians equate with his “triumphant descent into hell.”
The day falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Easter is an important event for millions of Christians around the world. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The event comes after 40 days of fasting, often known as Lent.
According to Vatican News, Lent is a time of change, freedom, and grace. It is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and finishes on Holy Thursday, serving as a preparation for Easter. The 40 days correspond to Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert, during which he was tempted by the devil.
Some church services celebrate the holiday with meditation and prayer.
Others choose a more secular celebration, like as going out with their families or donating to the needy.
‘Pursuit of a United, Peaceful Nation’
Earlier in his Easter message, President Bola Tinubu called on Nigerians to be compassionate to one another and work in unity. He called on Christians to imbibe the virtues of love, and sacrifice associated with the season.
“The President warmly greets Christians in Nigeria and around the world on this occasion, emphasising love, sacrifice, and compassion as the patent themes of this solemn season,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said.
“President Tinubu notes that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity is an emphatic lesson for leaders and all Nigerians to yield to selflessness and compassion, and be steadfast in the pursuit of a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.”
Security Beefed Up
Security has also been beefed up across Nigeria to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
“In line with this commitment, the IGP has ordered round-the-clock security and protection of public spaces across the country,” Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said.
“The IGP has also assured all travellers who will be visiting their hometowns and other places within the country for the festivities of adequate security irrespective of the medium of such travel, whether by road, air, waterways, or rail, as deployments have been increased and visibility patrols intensified in all areas, including aerial patrol and surveillance,” the police spokesman added.
This year’s Easter festivities come amid a biting economy shaped by the rising cost of living, the plummeting value of the nation’s currency, and worsening security challenges.
In February, the country’s inflation figures pushed to 31.70 percent, rising from the 29.90 percent recorded in the previous month, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Food inflation also moved to 37.92 percent on a year-on-year basis in February.
“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, oil and fat, meat, fruit, coffee, tea, and cocoa,” the NBS said.
