Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged Nigerian leaders to confront insecurity, poverty, and political greed with renewed determination, warning that the country risks losing its moral compass if violence and neglect persist.

In his 2025 Christmas message titled Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation, Kukah described Nigeria as being trapped in a “valley of violence,” where citizens face insecurity, hardship, and fear. He noted that while Christmas is a season of joy, it should also serve as a reminder that hope remains possible even in the darkest of times.

“Despite it all, Emmanuel God is among us, urging Nigerians to embrace a light that darkness cannot overcome,” the bishop said.

Kukah called on political leaders to act decisively to reduce citizens’ suffering, stressing that while resources may not satisfy the greed of the elite, they are sufficient to feed the people.

He highlighted the persistence of violence across the country, noting that communities continue to endure cycles of killing and destruction that repeatedly shatter moments of calm. Drawing parallels with the biblical account of Christ’s birth, Kukah said: “Jesus was born into poverty and violence, marked by King Herod’s massacre of innocent children. Christmas is not a denial of suffering but a call to resilience.”

The bishop expressed deep concern over the rising violence against children, including abductions, early marriages, slavery, and other forms of abuse. He recalled tragedies such as the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls, warning that many victims’ fates have been forgotten due to what he described as the “official complicity of a negligent state.”

“Our children are our future,” Kukah said, stressing that exposure of young people to violence threatens the very foundation of the nation.

He further urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility in addressing the root causes of insecurity, arguing that criminal groups ravaging communities are products of poor governance, miseducation, and moral decay. “The men of evil among us are the product of toxic politics driven by selfishness and greed for power,” he said, noting that northern Nigeria remains the epicentre of the crisis due to high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and disease.

While acknowledging the long history of Christian persecution, Kukah cautioned against responding to violence with violence, insisting that faith, prayer, and moral witness remain the strongest tools available.

“Violence cannot defeat violence. I urge Nigerians to choose peace, reconciliation, and higher moral standards,” he said.

The cleric also paid tribute to victims of insecurity nationwide, calling on citizens to see Christmas not merely as a festive season but as a time to reflect love and compassion in everyday life. He commended the federal government and others who secured the safe return of recently abducted children but warned that such incidents must not be allowed to recur.

Kukah concluded with a prayer that Nigeria would finally see an end to what he described as an “absurd theatre” of violence.