The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the government to focus on improving the lives of citizens as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Maulud.
The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the appeal in his message to Muslims on Tuesday, urging Nigerians to embrace compassion, justice, mercy and peaceful coexistence.
According to Okoh, the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth should remind Nigerians of the importance of caring for the vulnerable, respecting human dignity and promoting unity.
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 observed that many Nigerians were marking the celebration amid rising living costs and insecurity, which have continued to put pressure on households.
“People are tired of promises; they want to see their lives improve,” he said.
He therefore called on the Federal Government and leaders at various levels to translate their promises into tangible results, particularly in the areas of security, economic relief and citizens’ welfare.
“Leadership is not measured by what we promise, but by what Nigerians can see and feel,” he said.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, Okoh also warned politicians against exploiting religious and ethnic differences to gain political support.
He urged Christians and Muslims to reject attempts to create division for political purposes, stressing the need for both groups to work together and protect vulnerable members of society.
Okoh said Nigeria could overcome its challenges if its leaders demonstrated commitment to “responsible leadership, good citizenship and justice.”
He wished Muslims across the country a peaceful Eid-el-Maulud celebration and prayed for continued blessings and peace in Nigeria.
