The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has predicted a better 2025 for Nigeria’s economy and businesses.
While briefing journalists on the state of the nation, Primate Ndukuba noted that the present challenges that Nigerians are facing are part of a broader process to improve the nation’s future.
“While we may still encounter challenges in 2025, we trust that solutions will begin to emerge.
“We expect to witness tangible benefits from what has been established this year, leading to greater stability,” he said.
Ndukuba explained that there would be improvements in Nigeria’s economy, including better management of the Naira and fuel prices and the implementation of various micro and macroeconomic policies currently underway.
He, however, cautioned that “Corruption and greed can undermine even the positive developments we might achieve. If we fail to combat corruption, it will ultimately harm the Nigerian populace”.
While speaking on this year’s Christmas celebration Primate Ndukuba charged Christians to celebrate within the limits of their incomes.
He acknowledged that the present economic situation has made it difficult for families to afford the basic food items to celebrate this year’s Christmas.
He, however, assured Christians that God has not abandoned the country; hence, the Coming year though will also be tough, but citizens will witness relief from the current hardship.
“We thank God that as we celebrate the Christmas of this year, it is in the context of challenges, problems, insecurity, and hunger, and the tales of stampedes and death of citizens show us that there is hunger in the land and there are also situations and circumstances that are beyond our comprehension.
“But in it all, the word of the angel to the shepherd is the word of God to us, that is bringing to us the great tidings of good news that today is born to us a saviour who is Christ the Lord.
“We thank God that He has not abandoned us in our darkness, suffering, and pains, but rather, God has come to be with us. We are celebrating the help and intervention of God, and at such a time like this, we want to make it clear to Nigerians that God has not abandoned us and it is a reason for our rejoicing.
“As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we want to encourage Nigerians to pursue peace, we know that many people are hurting, some are aggrieved and we may have offended one another, but let this season of Christmas be a time of reconciliation and a time of showing mercy and forgiveness to one another.
“We know that the situation in Nigeria is so challenging that some families may not have the usual rice, food, and meat to celebrate, so whatever we have, let us use,” he said.
Furthermore, the Clergy, while emphasizing that Christmas must be celebrated as family, charged Christians to support others who do not have what to eat this season.
He also admonished Christians to moderate their eating and drinking this season in order not to dishonour God or their dignity as humans.
“Christmas must be celebrated as a family celebration; we need to care for one another, we need to share whatever the Lord has given to us with one another; it is a celebration of the love of God.
“Whatever we do in terms of eating or drinking must be done in moderation, let us not indulge in things that will dishonour God or dishonour our dignity as human beings,” he noted.
Primate Ndukuba, therefore, expressed hope that both the citizens and the leaders have a lot to learn from Christmas, which will better the future of the nation.
“I believe that there is so much to learn from Christmas both for the citizens and the followership. Leaders must learn to appreciate the citizens and also cherish the fact that opportunity given to them is for the purpose of the good of the common man and not an opportunity for them to amass as much as they could,” he added.
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