The Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo, has declared that Nigeria’s enduring hope for peace, unity and national healing lies in Jesus Christ, calling on leaders and citizens alike to embrace justice, compassion and a sincere conversion of heart.
In his 2025 Christmas message titled “In Jesus Christ Is Our Hope for Peace,” Bishop Odetoyinbo said the celebration of Christmas comes at a difficult time for many Nigerians battling hunger, insecurity, unemployment and rising cost of living.
“Some families in parts of our country will celebrate this Christmas without enough food on their tables or peace in their communities as a result of insecurity that is presently plaguing our country,” the bishop lamented.
He expressed deep concern over the hardship faced by young people, parents, farmers and traders, noting that uncertainty and fear have become part of daily life for many citizens.
“Many young people today are burdened by unemployment and uncertainty about their future. Parents worry daily about school fees, rising costs of living, and how to provide for their families,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the nativity story, the bishop reminded Nigerians that Christ Himself was born in hardship, stressing that God remains close to those who feel abandoned.
“To you who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and forgotten, I say to you: God sees you and knows your pain. He is not far from your struggles,” Odetoyinbo said, adding that, “the first Christmas was born in hardship… yet it was precisely there that God chose to dwell among us.”
He explained that the peace Christ offers is not the absence of problems but divine strength in the midst of trials. Quoting Luke 2:14, he said, “This peace is not the absence of problems, but the presence of Christ in the midst of them.”
The cleric described Nigeria as a wounded nation grappling with hunger, poverty, corruption and insecurity, urging a collective moral rebirth.
“Our message at this Christmas is a clarion call on all of us — leaders and citizens alike — to conversion of heart. Peace will not come through violence, greed or indifference,” he warned.
According to him, peace begins when Nigerians see one another as brothers and sisters beyond ethnic or religious lines and choose justice over selfish interest.
Bishop Odetoyinbo also challenged families and individuals to rediscover love, forgiveness and generosity during the festive season.
“I encourage everyone, in whatever measure, little or much, to share generously with those in difficult situations. Let us not allow hardship to harden our hearts,” he urged.
Addressing political leaders, the bishop appealed for selfless governance and empathy for the vulnerable.
“Place the common good above personal or regional interest. The cries of the poor, the unemployed, and the insecure must not go unheard,” he said.
He further called attention to internally displaced persons (IDPs), victims of kidnapping and communities affected by insurgency, insisting that they must not be treated as statistics.
“Those in IDP camps are not just numbers but citizens of our country who are victims of a troubled nation. A nation cannot know peace when its people live in fear and want,” Odetoyinbo stated.
Despite the grim realities, the bishop reassured Nigerians that hope remains alive, citing John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.”
“Christmas assures us that darkness does not have the final word,” he said, encouraging citizens to entrust their worries and the future of Nigeria to God.
He prayed for national healing, urging Christ, the Prince of Peace, to “heal our wounded land, comfort the afflicted, and guide us towards a future of justice, unity, and hope.”
The bishop concluded by wishing Nigerians a joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year, assuring them of his prayers and blessings.
“Merry Christmas and a peace-filled New Year 2026,” he said.
