The President of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
(CBCN); Archbishop Augustine
Obiora Akubeze has advocated that the
Year 2020 should be one of justice, eq-
uity and love in Nigeria devoid of vices
that are making life unbearable for the
majority of Nigerians, in spite of the
country being blessed with natural and
human resources.
The Archbishop therefore called on
the people of the country to embrace
the light of the new born infant King –
Jesus; and allow his light to cast out the
evil of darkness in our lives.
Noting that the desperate quest for
material wealth has enveloped the
country like darkness, as portrayed by
the life of King Herod at the time of
the birth of Jesus, Archbishop Akubeze
stated: “Interior darkness is what leads
to exterior darkness. John the Baptist
was arrested because he wanted Herod
to come out of darkness. Herod was
eaten up by the material glory of being
a king.”
He however added that just as the
light of the new born King Jesus con-
quered the darkness personified by
Herod at that time; ““We all must pray
that the that the people that walk-in
darkness in Nigeria will see the light
of the new born infant King. The new
born Christ brings peace, joy, justice
and progress. Let us all in this new light
and cast out the evil of darkness
The CBCN President continued:
“Material acquisition without reference
to the author of the material leads to in-
terior darkness. Interior darkness of the
soul leads to the disorder use of mate-
rial wealth. There is darkness in any so-
ciety that does not share its wealth well.
A greater number of people in Nigeria
are poor because of the greed of a few.
God has blessed our land with enough
resources to care for all every Nigerian”.
He added: “There is absolutely no
need for us to be seeking a better life
for our families outside this country
flowing with milk and honey. It is a
Promised Land that God has blessed”;
he declared. The CBCN President went
on to express the hope that: in the Year
2020, Government at the Federal, State
and local Government levels will be
truly concerned about the welfare of
the people who elected them”; while
the politicians will walk in the light of
Christ”.
He expressed the hope of a new year,
where the electorate will no longer be
subjects of bribes for electoral votes; se-
curity of life and property in the coun-
try will be sacrosanct; stable energy
supply and rapid growth in economy;
religious leaders will desist from ma-
nipulating the poor people for selfish
gains; and a truly religious Nigerian na-
tion “ where religious values will show
in our places of work
