Bishop Kukah Urges Nigerian Leaders to Address Suffering, Calls for Hope This Christmas

In his 2025 Christmas message, the Sokoto Diocese Bishop emphasizes unity, prayer, and reconciliation amid Nigeria’s ongoing security and socio-economic challenges.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese has called on Nigerian leaders to take urgent steps to address the country’s suffering while urging citizens not to lose faith despite the nation’s challenges

Delivering his 2025 Christmas message on Thursday, Kukah said, “In the midst of the darkness of our circumstances, we strongly urge our leaders to strengthen their resolve towards ameliorating the sufferings that challenge our faith. We may not have enough to feed the greed of our elite, but there is enough to feed our people.”

The cleric lamented the continued mass abductions of students, as well as widespread crimes such as banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping, urging Nigerians to pray for the victims and their families. “These children are our future. As we think of the child Jesus at Christmas, we can only continue in steadfast prayer and hope that our redeemer liveth,” he said.

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Bishop Kukah further stressed that solutions to Nigeria’s challenges must come from within, calling for national unity and collective action. “In this holy season of Christmas, let us remember that the Lord heals our wounds and mends our broken hearts. Like the shepherds in the fields, we pray that millions of our brethren stranded in refugee camps or forests may hear the good news that joy has come into the world,” he added.

He encouraged Christians to celebrate Christmas as a vocation, demonstrating love, peace, and reconciliation through their actions. “Christ remains the cornerstone of our faith. Despite the temptation to grow weary and despondent, we must continue to push on,” the Bishop said, noting that those causing havoc are products of Nigeria’s low level of development.