Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Peter Odetoyinbo, has urged Nigerians to be hopeful and never give up on reforming and rebuilding the country to be a better place.

Mr Odetoyinbo said this in his Christmas message on Sunday in Abeokuta.

He said that Nigerians must remain hopeful, notwithstanding the present situation in the country.

“We must remain resolute and hopeful in the vision of a new Nigeria. We daily witness, with concern, the exodus of Nigerians, particularly young people, to other nations, leading to brain drain and loss of capable hands that would have added value to our common efforts of rebuilding Nigeria.

“Such embers of desperation and hopelessness should not be allowed to flourish any longer. As people of hope, we believe that Nigeria will rise again and the glory of the Lord shall shine upon her, and many who have been displaced due to problems besieging this country will once more return to their homeland,” said Mr Odetoyinbo.

According to him, some developed nations to which some Nigerians have emigrated have had their dark moments in history.

“They went through their own storms but kept hope alive. Where is the hope for our nation? We must remind one another that God loves us in Nigeria and learn to love one another.

“We cannot continue to appreciate other nations and work daily to destroy our own or engage in acts that will bring collective shame to the name of our country and cause havoc to the lives and property of fellow Nigerians.

“This will be inimical to our hope for a better Nigeria,” the cleric explained.

Mr Odetoyinbo noted that the present administration had presented its ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra to Nigerians.

Therefore, Mr Odetoyinbo urged political leaders to walk the talk and match their utterances with actions and commitment to ending the country’s economic hardship.

The cleric also advised citizens to instil the virtues of Christmas, which are love, joy, peace, unity and humility before God.

According to him, the Christmas season allows Christians to celebrate God’s love with one another as one family, united in a common vision for the common good.

“This love must be shared with our brothers and sisters, particularly those who find it difficult to celebrate due to the present economic hardship. The spirit of love that God has brought our way by the birth of Jesus Christ should spur us into sharing with one another the joy of Christmas.

“I exhort and enjoin all who have to share their gifts with the poor and the less-privileged around them,” he said.

(NAN)