Borno
Easter 2026: Zulum Urges Christians to Keep Faith Alive, Sustain Peace in Borno
Easter 2026: Zulum Urges Christians to Keep Faith Alive, Sustain Peace in Borno
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has congratulated Christians in the state on the occasion of the 2026 Easter celebration, urging them to uphold the values of sacrifice, forgiveness, love and peaceful coexistence.
In an Easter message released by his Special Adviser on Media, Malam Dauda Iliya, the governor described the season as a solemn and spiritually significant period that reflected the triumph of hope over despair and called for deeper reflection, prayer, and unity among the people.
Zulum noted that Easter comes at the end of a 40-day Lenten observance, a sacred period during which Christians commit themselves to fasting, repentance, abstinence, self-discipline and spiritual renewal.
“As Christians across the world celebrate this year’s Easter, which commenced on Friday, I warmly felicitate with my Christian brothers and sisters in the state and beyond,” the governor said.
He assured the people of Borno that his administration would continue to prioritise their safety, welfare, and overall well-being, despite the prevailing social and economic challenges.
The governor said the state government had stepped up intervention measures to support vulnerable households, revealing that more than 300,000 families had so far benefited from palliative distribution aimed at easing hardship.
“This year, we have scaled up our palliative distribution to reach more than 300,000 families in an effort to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship. It is encouraging to note that many vulnerable households have benefited from this intervention,” he said.
Zulum also called on residents to remain united and avoid actions capable of threatening the peace and stability of the state, especially in the current political season.
He stressed that Borno’s progress and recovery can only be sustained when citizens reject division and work together in the collective interests of peace, development, and social harmony.
“Borno belongs to all of us. We must shun divisive tendencies, especially during this political period,” he said.
The governor expressed optimism that the state would continue to make progress in overcoming insecurity and rebuilding communities affected by years of insurgency.
He said it was encouraging to witness the level of religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state and urged residents not to allow any force to undermine that unity.
“It is heartening to observe the level of religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state. I urge all residents to sustain this spirit as we continue to take deliberate steps towards achieving lasting peace,” he added.
Zulum commended traditional rulers and religious leaders from both faiths for their efforts to promote understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among the people.
He also paid tribute to the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes for their continued sacrifices and recent successes in the fight against insurgencies in the state.
The governor said their courage and commitment remain central to the ongoing efforts to restore peace and secure a more stable future for Borno State.
