The President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Rev. David Onuoha, has called on Nigerians to embrace love, justice, fairness and accountability as the surest path to peace and national stability.
Archbishop Onuoha made the call in his 2025 Christmas message titled “God’s Plan for Peace in the World,” released to mark the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He described Christmas as a season of joy that commemorates God’s intervention in human history through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, whom he referred to as the Prince of Peace.
Quoting Isaiah 9:6, the Archbishop said the birth of Jesus was God’s response to the broken relationship between God and humanity caused by sin, noting that Christ came to restore peace both between God and man and among human beings.
According to him, love remains the foundation of peace in any society. He explained that genuine love promotes patience, forgiveness, justice, equity and fairness, adding that where these values prevail, peace would naturally flourish without the need for heavy spending on peacekeeping.
Archbishop Onuoha expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, describing them as symptoms of the absence of love, justice and fairness in the society. He said the tension across the country reflects a moral and spiritual crisis rather than a lack of resources.
He urged Nigerians to receive and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in their personal and national lives, warning against ideologies that promote hatred, violence and destruction of human life and property.
The CCN president also challenged government at all levels to prioritize fairness, equity and justice in governance, particularly in policy formulation and implementation. He stressed that equal treatment of all Nigerians, regardless of tribe, language or religion, is essential for political stability.
On economic matters, Archbishop Onuoha expressed apprehension over the proposed new tax regime expected to take effect early next year. He questioned its timing, citing widespread poverty, mismanagement of public resources and a weak culture of accountability as the root causes of the nation’s economic hardship.
He cautioned that imposing additional taxes on already struggling citizens without first addressing corruption and waste would worsen suffering, likening the move to “drawing blood from an anemic patient.”
Onuoha, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Province and Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, maintained that Nigeria’s major challenge is not a lack of resources but a lack of love for one another and for the nation.
He warned that without transparent resource management and a strong accountability framework, the expected gains from the new tax policy could be lost, as has happened with previous revenues.
He concluded by reaffirming that Jesus Christ remains God’s gift of peace to the world, adding that love for God and neighbour is the enduring foundation for peace, prosperity and development. He prayed for Christ to be “born in the hearts of Nigerians and in the society.
