The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called on Nigerians to embrace peace, reconciliation and hope despite the wave of killings, abductions and insecurity across the country.
In his 2025 Christmas message titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Bishop Kukah lamented that while Christmas is traditionally a season of joy, Nigeria remains trapped in what he described as “a valley of violence and sorrow,” marked by widespread bloodshed and human suffering.
He noted that insecurity, poverty and poor leadership have deepened despair among citizens but urged Nigerians not to lose faith, stressing that the birth of Christ symbolises light in the midst of darkness.
“Despite it all, Emmanuel — God is with us,” the bishop said, urging political leaders to strengthen their resolve to alleviate the suffering of the people, adding that while greed has impoverished the nation, there remains enough to care for the ordinary Nigerian.
Reflecting on the violent circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, Bishop Kukah drew parallels with Nigeria’s present reality, where innocent lives, especially children, continue to be threatened by armed conflict, banditry and abductions.
He referenced the fate of schoolchildren abducted in places such as Chibok, Dapchi, Maga and Papiri, describing the tragedy as a damning indictment of state failure and official negligence.
According to Bishop Kukah, thousands of Nigerian children have been exposed to violence, forced labour, early marriage and abuse, thereby placing the country’s future at grave risk.
The cleric stressed that Nigeria’s security crisis is fundamentally a moral and social problem rooted in poverty, illiteracy, miseducation and selfish politics, particularly in northern Nigeria, which he described as the epicentre of the current violence.
“The men of violence among us are our children,” he said, arguing that years of poor governance and lack of education have turned innocent youths into instruments of terror.
He warned that the country must choose between education and moral renewal or face collective ruin.
While condemning violence, Bishop Kukah cautioned against revenge or the use of force, insisting that Christians must resist the temptation to respond to evil with violence.
Drawing from Christian history and scripture, he emphasised faith, prayer and moral witness as the most enduring weapons against injustice and persecution.
“Violence cannot defeat violence,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to peace, even in the face of provocation and suffering.
He also called on citizens to draw strength from their shared humanity, noting that Nigerians have continued to mourn, bury their dead and endure hardship together. According to him, unity and solidarity remain critical if the nation is to emerge from its current darkness.
In a note of cautious optimism, Bishop Kukah welcomed the reported return of abducted schoolchildren, commending the federal government and all stakeholders involved in their rescue.
However, he described the incident as “one ordeal too many” and prayed that it would mark the end of what he called Nigeria’s “absurd theatre” of abductions.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, not merely as a celebration but as a vocation to live out the values of love, peace and reconciliation.
“As ambassadors of Christ, our message to the world must be one of joy, peace and reconciliation,” Bishop Kukah said, wishing Nigerians a hopeful and peaceful Christmas despite the nation’s many trials.
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