The 2020 Easter celebration was a record breaking as it devoid usual merriment due to the restriction order by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Abuja and other states.
For the first time in the history of FCT Easter was celebrated without its usual festivity as many churches and even centers were deserted on Friday and Sunday
Usually, Easter, the festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ observed by Christian faithful is always with fun and funfair.
However, the Good Friday processions that traditionally enact the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ by devout Christians could not hold, also the usual morning celebration on Easter Sunday could not also hold, due to the lockdown.
The lockdown and restriction of movements and gatherings across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a bid to curb the spread of the disease have forced many residents, especially Christians and churches, to scale down the celebration.
Many churches were on Sunday deserted as most Christians in the FCT observed the Easter Sunday Service through various social media platforms.
Many also in compliance with the Federal Government directive on the sit-at-home-order glued to their radio and television sets to listen and watch the live telecast of their pastors to celebrate Easter .
However, many still celebrated the festival by sharing food with the their neighbours in a little way to show appreciation to God for sparing their lives.
Some of the residents expressed gladness for being alive, though they said this was with mixed feelings.
They decried not being able to gather together with other Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and pray against the coronavirus pandemic.
A resident, Mrs. Favour Mojisola said she was not all that happy as she missed the social gathering and felicitation that characterized the festival.
She, however, expressed happiness that in spite of the lockdown people could still celebrate in their different houses.
A resident of Abuja, Mr Aderemi Ojo, lamented that the Easter period always used by his church to hold retreat to seek the face of God could not hold due to the lockdown.
He, however, said that he was able to observe the service with his family members through a national radio broadcast by his church, which he said could not be compared with physical fellowship
The President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Samson Ayokunle had encouraged Christian to observe their Easter celebration in their individual houses and comply with the government restriction order.
Ayokunle in a statement by his Special Assitant, Media and Communication, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji said “ there is no other time the hope of victory over circumstances of life which Easter brings is more relevant to human beings than now ehne we are forced to celebrate easter for the first time in over one hundred years in lockdown
“The coronavirus disruption of human activities however cannot deter us from our joy and victory over all evils which Christ’s unique resurrection from the dead has brought to us.
Äccording to him, the period of the arrest, the trial, the sufferings of Christ and his eventual crucifixion and burial were not only periods of pains and gloom to the Lord Himself but much more to his followers resurrection from the dead has brought to us, the period of arrest
“I am fully persuaded that very soon coronavirus will become history and we shall have victory over it. Let us intensify prayers for a quick recovery for as many that are recuperating from its attack,” he said