Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin, the Archbishop of Ibadan

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 5TH 2026

Dear brothers and sisters, children of God. Happy Easter to you all. Praise the Lord! Alleluia. Now our Lenten journey is over. Christ has reached the peak of calvary and the depth of the grave. He died because of us, and he has risen. Alleluia. Joy is born anew. Our hope is made firm. Now that Christ has won NEW LIFE FOR US, we are called to bear witness in the world, and we do this by being true to our faith. By showing the love of God to the world and also by fixing our gaze on heaven and the things of God.

For Christians, Easter is about new life and only God makes new life possible. Our old life is dead; hence we must make conscious efforts not to go back to our sins again. We must reject sin always and choose Christ always.

The story of Jesus’s resurrection is the best good news of humanity. He died and came back to life. This is also what we want for ourselves. Many people struggle daily with no hope of a better future. Please look onto Jesus – He has opened the gate of success for you. Success is possible, victory is possible, new life is possible. All that it takes is to live like Christ. Be obedient to God. Do what God requires of you and live your life for others. Make life better for the people around you. As you give them hope, you too will experience joy. As you help them to find peace in the midst of their sufferings, your salvation will become easier. 

Easter is a celebration of joy, Christ conquered sin and death. He did it for all of us. His resurrection is a powerful message that hope is not lost and that better days are still ahead of us. As Nigerians, Easter is a signpost for us, and it is leading us to God. With God all things are possible – a better country, a better economy and a society free of banditry and kidnapping.  As Easter is the beginning of new life, I wish all of you a time of peace and tranquility, a time of joy and satisfaction, a time of grace and abundance.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus Christ, you have brought us from Lent to Easter, from sin to holiness, from death to life. For this we thank you. Give us your grace to live the new life of Easter always, so that others may come to believe that you are alive. Amen.

May the Blessing of Almighty God….