The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to embrace mercy, compassion, justice and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Maulud.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in his Eid-el-Maulud message on Tuesday, congratulating Muslims and praying for peace, blessings and prosperity for their families and communities.
Okoh said the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad offered Muslims and Nigerians generally an opportunity to reflect on the values associated with his life, particularly mercy, justice, compassion for the poor and vulnerable, honesty and peaceful coexistence.
He urged Nigerians to translate these values into actions, especially at a time when the country is facing economic hardship, insecurity and growing social tensions.
“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,” he said.
The CAN president noted that the celebration came against the backdrop of rising living costs and persistent insecurity, which he said continued to place significant pressure on households and communities across the country.
“People are tired of promises; they want to see their lives improve,” Okoh said.
He consequently called on the Federal Government and other leaders across the country to move beyond promises and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, citizens need greater security, economic relief and leadership that places their welfare at the centre of governance.
“Leadership is not measured by what we promise, but by what Nigerians can see and feel,” he said.
Okoh also expressed concern over the potential exploitation of religious and ethnic differences as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
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He warned politicians against using religion, ethnicity or other forms of identity politics to gain electoral advantage, stressing that political contests should not be allowed to undermine national unity.
The CAN president urged Christians and Muslims to resist attempts by politicians and other interests to create divisions between the two major religious communities.
He said Nigerians of different faiths had a shared responsibility to protect their communities, care for vulnerable citizens and promote peace.
“Elections will come and go, but the bonds holding Nigeria together must remain,” he said.
Okoh maintained that he remained hopeful about Nigeria’s future but stressed that hope must be matched by responsible leadership, good citizenship and justice.
He urged Nigerians to use the Maulud celebration as an opportunity to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence and collective responsibility.
“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.
The CAN president wished Muslims across Nigeria an “Eid-el-Maulud Mubarak” and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the country.
His message comes amid renewed calls from religious and community leaders for greater unity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, with concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and political tensions continuing to dominate national discourse.