The Christian Association of Nigeria has congratulated Nigerians on the 65th anniversary of independence, emphasising that true progress must touch every home, not just be measured by statistics.

CAN president Daniel Okoh stated this in his message to mark Nigeria’s independence anniversary on Wednesday in Abuja. He urged Nigerians to put aside ethnic, religious, and political differences to work towards the common good.

On the anniversary, Mr Okoh said, “Let us renew our commitment to justice, equity, and good governance. Let us embrace hard work, pay our taxes faithfully, support local production, and show love to one another as one people under God.

“The dawn of a new Nigeria is possible. With God’s help and our shared determination, we shall build a nation where peace, prosperity, and unity flourish for generations to come.”

According to him, the economic reforms by the current government have brought temporary hardship to millions of Nigerians, with rising costs of living, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation affecting households.

“We must be honest about the unfinished business of nation-building; economic reforms are necessary, but they have brought temporary hardship for millions of Nigerians. The rising cost of living, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation continue to weigh heavily on households.

“True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child. We pray that God will grant our leaders the wisdom, courage, and strength to drive the reforms to a point where Nigerians will rejoice, and may He protect them from sycophants who do not mean well for our nation,” he said.

Mr Okoh also explained that insecurity has remained a challenging issue in the country, with banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts continuing to threaten lives and property.

He required sustained collaboration among security agencies, communities, and faith-based organisations to address these challenges.

According to him, many of Nigeria’s brightest minds seek opportunities abroad, depriving the nation of crucial talent and expertise.

“We also recognise that young people are Nigeria’s greatest asset. Their energy, creativity, and determination hold the key to a better tomorrow. Yet, the persistent brain drain, where many of our brightest minds leave for opportunities abroad, remains a critical challenge.

“Nigeria must create the enabling environment that encourages its citizens, especially the youth, to stay, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to national development. Investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment must remain a national priority, ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind,” he said.

(NAN)