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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged churches across the country to celebrate Christmas with wisdom, vigilance, and a strong sense of responsibility, particularly in view of prevailing security challenges.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in a Christmas Eve statement in which he extended greetings to Christians and people of goodwill nationwide.
He described Christmas as a sacred season that reflects God’s love, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness, urging Christians to uphold the values of love, peace, sacrifice, patience, and compassion.
Despite economic hardships and security concerns facing the country, Okoh said the birth of Christ reassures believers that hope remains alive and that God has not abandoned His people.
The CAN president advised churches, especially those in security-prone areas, to take practical steps to ensure the safety of worshippers.
He encouraged church leaders in areas with limited security presence to consider holding services in safer locations or organising smaller gatherings to enhance protection.
Okoh also appealed to security agencies to increase their presence around places of worship during the Christmas season, while urging churches to maintain close collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful and hitch-free celebrations.
He called on Nigerians to remember those affected by violence, displacement, and hardship, urging citizens to work together in the spirit of peace, justice, and unity.
According to him, national cohesion, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence remain vital to Nigeria’s future.
The CAN president prayed that the Christmas season would bring joy, peace, and hope to Nigerians, expressing optimism that the New Year would usher in healing and lasting peace across the country.
Christmas: CAN urges churches to prioritise safety of worshippers
