The Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on Nigerian leaders to make themselves instruments of positive change, urging them to work towards transforming the nation’s poverty into prosperity, insecurity into peace, and division into unity.
The Cardinal made the appeal in his 2025 Christmas message, where he stressed that God addresses societal problems by working through human beings, particularly those in positions of authority.
He said if political leaders made themselves available, God could use them to resolve Nigeria’s pressing challenges, noting that God does not act in isolation but through people.
According to him, with God, all things are possible, including national transformation.
Cardinal Onaiyekan also encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the country’s ongoing economic, security, and social crises.
He said the celebration of Christmas brings a universal message of hope, joy, and peace, reminding Nigerians that God remains present and active in the nation.
Quoting the biblical name Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us,” he reassured Nigerians that God has not abandoned the country, even in difficult times.
He urged Christians to live out the true meaning of Christmas by spreading hope, joy, and peace to everyone they encounter.
Explaining the significance of Christmas, the Cardinal said it commemorates more than the birth of a child over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem.
For Christians, he noted, it marks the fulfilment of God’s eternal plan through the incarnation, the belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ.
He described the birth of Christ as a unique and non-repeatable intervention by God in human history, bringing salvation and joy not only to Christians but to all humanity. He added that this explains why Christmas is celebrated worldwide, across cultures and continents.
On the core belief of Christianity, Cardinal Onaiyekan acknowledged that the idea of God becoming man may seem difficult to understand.
However, he said it remains central to Christian faith and has been believed and lived by billions of people for over 2,000 years.
He concluded by reminding Christians that their faith is rooted in the belief that nothing is impossible with God, a message he said is especially relevant for Nigeria at this time.