Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese has called on Nigerians to embrace reflection, renewal, and a renewed commitment to Christian values in his 2024 Christmas message.
He urged the nation to choose light over darkness, lamenting the persistent issues of violence, corruption, and stagnation in the country.
According to Kukah, Nigeria’s failure to progress is closely tied to its preference for darkness, rather than embracing the light.
He emphasized the importance of Christmas as a time for personal reflection and spiritual renewal, encouraging Christians to re-examine their commitment to their faith and strive to be a beacon of light in the world.
While expressing concern over the nation’s ongoing security challenges, the bishop called for a comprehensive plan to address the root causes of insecurity, such as unemployment and violent extremism.
He also commended the federal government’s efforts to empower the youth, particularly the Student Loan Act and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, urging young people to seize these opportunities to improve their lives and contribute positively to society.
“The federal government are very commendable gestures towards the youth. It is significant that the Act does not limit access only to university students but to those also seeking vocational or technical skills”.
He hoped that the project will be free of the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks and favouritism so as to expand the scope of opportunities for our youth and their parents.