His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese, has urged Nigerians to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, describing it as a call to conversion, compassion, and peace, rather than mere celebration.
The Cardinal said Christmas is a reminder that God deliberately chose to be born in poverty, rejection, and suffering, reassuring families facing economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty that God remains close to human pain. “God did not come with power or wealth. He came as a helpless child to show that the world is saved by love, not by force.”
The Cleric warned that celebrating Christmas without compassion for the hungry, the sick, and the forgotten contradicts its message, stressing that the season must promote forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.
Also speaking on Christmas Day, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, called on residents to use the season for sober reflection, forgiveness, and renewed commitment to humility and love.
Uzodimma spoke during a worship service at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Ozuh Omuma, Oru East, attended by clergy, government officials, and worshippers from across the state.
The governor acknowledged the security and economic challenges faced in 2025 but urged citizens to count their blessings and reconcile, stressing that true Christianity is demonstrated through actions, not words.
He said economic reforms might bring temporary hardship but are necessary for long-term stability, citing the reduction in the price of rice from ₦105,000 to below ₦60,000 as evidence of gradual improvement.
Meanwhile, the Mgbidi Boys Secondary School Old Students Association has appealed for patience among members over what it described as a temporary “frozen task.”
In his speech, Chief Dimkpa Eluagu and the newly elected President, Mr. Innocent Eluagu, the association assured members that normalcy would soon return. They also commended Governor Uzodimma for his developmental strides, particularly in the education sector, describing his efforts as impactful and deserving of continued support.
