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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to continually stand with the people, to speak truth to power with love, and to uphold hope in difficult times.
It also declared that Nigeria is not without a future, affirming that justice, peace, and restoration are possible when leadership is responsible and citizens remain committed to righteousness and unity.
This was contained in a New Year message signed by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh in Abuja on Thursday.
The CAN president said, “As we journey through 2026, we look forward with sober hope, trusting that our nation can yet rise into better days marked by healing, stability, and shared progress. The year behind us was a difficult one for many Nigerians. Economic hardship, rising living costs, insecurity and uncertainty placed enormous strain on families and communities.
“These realities cannot be ignored or explained away. The quiet endurance of our people is not a sign that all is well; rather, it is a reminder of how much healing, relief, and justice our nation still needs.
“As the nation continues to speak about reforms, recovery and growth, CAN affirms that progress must translate into lived realities. Economic advancement must be evident in the daily lives of citizens, which is when food is affordable, healthcare is accessible, education is attainable, and meaningful work is available.”
He insisted that development that does not touch ordinary lives remains incomplete. “Nigeria must become a place where families live with dignity, young people can plan for the future with confidence, and communities are no longer overwhelmed by fear.
“Public policies and leadership decisions must consistently reflect compassion, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the common good, especially towards the poor and the vulnerable. The persistence of insecurity across the country remains a grave national concern. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime have uprooted communities and shattered lives. This reality demands decisive and sustained action. We hope that the government will deliver on its promises to reduce insecurity to the lowest levels in this new year.”
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He thus asked that the government at all levels must urgently present a clear, comprehensive, and time-bound plan for the resettlement of communities displaced for prolonged periods by violence and insecurity.
The CAN president insisted that it is unjust and unacceptable that citizens should remain indefinitely uprooted from their ancestral lands, homes, and livelihoods, suggesting that beyond temporary relief, the nation must pursue restoration.
“Security must be guaranteed, homes and infrastructure rebuilt, and displaced persons enabled to return safely and with dignity. A nation cannot claim healing while entire communities remain unsettled.”
The CAN president called for wisdom, fairness, and restraint regarding the take-off of the new fiscal tax and other economic reform policies being championed by the government.
He insisted that economic decisions must not deepen hardship for those already struggling, suggesting that small businesses, low-income earners, and rural communities require protection and deliberate support if recovery is to be meaningful and inclusive.
“Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s challenges are not only economic or structural; they are also moral. Corruption, injustice, and division continue to weaken trust and erode our national conscience.
“Hence, leadership at all levels must be guided by integrity, accountability, and a sincere commitment to serve rather than dominate. National renewal obviously requires moral courage as much as technical competence,” he said.
