The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to make mercy, compassion, justice and peaceful coexistence central to their lives as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Maulud.
The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in an Eid-el-Maulud message on Tuesday, congratulating Muslims across the country as he prayed for peace and blessings upon their families and communities.
Okoh said the celebration of the birth of the Prophet of Islam provided an opportunity for Muslims and Nigerians generally to reflect on values associated with the Prophet’s life, including mercy, justice, compassion for the poor and vulnerable, honesty and peaceful coexistence.
He said, “For us as Nigerians, these values are especially important today because they challenge us to care for one another, protect human dignity and pursue peace even when our differences are exploited for political or personal gain.”
The CAN president noted that the celebration came at a difficult time for many Nigerians, as rising living costs and insecurity continued to affect households and communities across the country.
“People are tired of promises; they want to see their lives improve,” he said.
Okoh therefore urged the Federal Government and leaders at all levels to move from promises to visible action, stressing that Nigerians needed greater security, economic relief and leadership that prioritised their welfare.
“Leadership is not measured by what we promise, but by what Nigerians can see and feel,” he said.
He also urged politicians, ahead of the 2027 general elections, not to exploit religious or ethnic differences for political advantage.
According to him, elections would come and go, but the bonds holding Nigeria together must remain.
Okoh called on Christians and Muslims to resist attempts by politicians and other interests to divide them for political gain, stressing that both groups had a shared responsibility to protect their communities, care for vulnerable Nigerians and work together for peace.
He said he remained hopeful about Nigeria, but noted that such hope must be supported by “responsible leadership, good citizenship and justice.”
“May this Eid-el-Maulud renew our commitment to mercy, peace and compassion, and inspire us to build a Nigeria where every citizen can live with dignity and hope,” he added.
Okoh wished Muslims across the country an “Eid-el-Maulud Mubarak” and prayed for God’s blessings upon Nigeria.
