CHRISTMAS AND THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE

CHRISTMAS AND THE SACREDNESS OF HUMAN LIFE: CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, 2025

My dear brothers and sisters and fellow Nigerians,

Once again, amidst the shadows that loom large over our nation, I extend my heartfelt wishes to you this Christmas season. In spite of the climate of hopelessness that continues to surround many of us, let us remember that even in the darkest of times, a flicker of hope can ignite a powerful flame of change.

Christmas is a solemn and joyful season in which Christians commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who came into the world that humanity might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

At the heart of the message of Christmas, therefore, is the sacredness and priceless value of human life. God so valued humanity that He gave His Only Begotten Son for its redemption (John 3:16). This profound truth should speak powerfully to our national conscience at this critical moment in our history.

Unfortunately, and quite sadly, across our nation today, the dignity of human life is under a severe strain. Widespread insecurity, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and violent crime have claimed countless innocent lives and left many families in grief and perrenial fear. The Scriptures remind us that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). To assault human life, whether through violence, neglect, corruption, injustice, or abdication of responsibility, is to diminish that divine image. Christmas, therefore, calls us, as individuals and as a nation, to reaffirm our collective commitment to protect life and uphold human dignity everywhere in Nigeria.

Recently, the argument over whether the killings in parts of our country amount to genocide against Christians has become increasingly divisive and controversial. While the pain, fear, and sense of victimhood felt by many communities are real and must not be dismissed, the framing of the crisis in ways that deepen religious or ethnic fault lines risks killing the very issues that demand urgent attention.

When we force a controversy that hardens positions and fuels suspicion, we lose sight of the primary moral imperative: stopping the killings, violent abductions, and acts of terror wherever they occur and whoever the victims may be. An honest and sincere national effort is required, free of denial, exaggeration, or politicisation, to confront insecurity in all its forms and to end the cheapening of human life that now threatens our collective future.

The economic hardships confronting Nigerians further weigh heavily on the sanctity of life. Rising inflation, unemployment, hunger, and poverty have pushed millions into despair.

Parents struggle to provide food, healthcare, and education for their children. Young people face uncertain futures, while the elderly are often left without adequate care. Scripture teaches that rulers are God’s servants for the good of the people (Romans 13:4), and that those entrusted with authority must speak for the poor and defend the needy (Proverbs 31:8–9). Economic policies must therefore be guided not merely by figures and projections, but by compassion, justice, and the real human consequences of governance decisions.

In that light, it is my fervent hope that the implementation of new tax laws in the coming year will be deliberately anchored on a human-centred approach that prioritises the enhancement of life rather than its further degradation. A tax reform may, on paper, hold many developmental prospects. But it should not be pursued as a purely fiscal or technocratic exercise. It must rather be guided by a social conscience, equity, and a clear and honest appreciation of prevailing economic hardships.

In a context already marked by rising poverty, inflation, and weak rural infrastructure, the state has a moral obligation to ensure that the new tax policies do not exacerbate the suffering of the poor or impose disproportionate burdens on rural dwellers who already face limited access to basic services and economic opportunities. Sensitivity to these realities demands a progressive implementation, targeted reliefs, and safeguards that protect vulnerable populations, so that taxation becomes a tool for shared development and social stability, not an instrument of exclusion or distress.

Politically, Nigeria continues to grapple with distrust, corruption, exclusion, and weak accountability. When leadership becomes detached from the suffering of the people, human life is reduced to a statistic rather than treated as sacred. The prophet Micah reminds us of God’s enduring standard for leadership: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (cf. Micah 6:8). Government at both the national and sub-national levels must demonstrate sincerity of purpose, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the security and welfare of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or location.

At this critical juncture, the fixation on winning or losing future elections must give way to a more urgent national imperative: restoring security and safeguarding the lives of citizens.

A country gripped by pervasive insecurity cannot meaningfully debate political succession, economic reform, or democratic consolidation, because fear and instability erode the very foundations upon which governance and electoral legitimacy rest.

Leaders across the political spectrum have a moral and constitutional responsibility to rise above partisan calculations and collaborate in good faith to develop and implement a workable, sustainable solution to the security crisis crippling the nation. History will judge today’s leadership not by electoral victories, but by whether they demonstrated the courage, unity, and foresight required to confront an existential threat and reestablish peace, stability, and public confidence in the state. The concerted effort by the state and federal government in bringing about the safe release of the abducted school children and staff in Niger State shows that with goodwill, good strategies, and selfless determination to root out criminality, the positive results will be felt by all.

As our nation is increasingly strained by violence, division, intolerance, and despair, Christmas proclaims a message of reconciliation and peace. At the birth of Christ, the angels declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). Nigeria urgently needs this peace – peace built on justice, truth, and a shared commitment to the common good. Unity of purpose does not mean ignoring our differences, but rising above them to affirm that every Nigerian life matters.

As we celebrate Christmas, we need to reflect on its message and let it challenge us to positive action. The government bears a special responsibility to lead with integrity and courage, but the citizens, too, must reject violence, hatred, corruption, and indifference. We are called to speak truth, defend the vulnerable, and work together to rebuild trust and hope. The Scriptures assure us that righteousness exalts a nation (cf. Proverbs 14:34). If we truly embrace the sacredness of human life, Nigeria can yet become a land where peace, justice, and shared prosperity prevail.

May the light of Christ illumine our hearts, renew our leaders, heal our nation, and guide us toward a future where every Nigerian life is valued, protected, and cherished. Amen.