The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has made a powerful appeal for national unity, drawing from both Islamic and Christian scriptures in its annual Christmas message. The forum, in a statement released on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, called on all Nigerians to prioritize peace, mutual understanding, and shared responsibility as the year concludes.
A Message of Reflection and Shared Values
In the statement delivered by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the NEF framed Christmas as a pivotal season for deep reflection and the renewal of faith. The forum emphasized that this period should reaffirm core values like love, peace, and sacrifice for the entire nation, not just the Christian community.
Professor Jiddere stressed that the occasion demands a collective pause and a recommitment to the ideals that foster peaceful coexistence. The NEF extended warm festive greetings specifically to Christians in Northern Nigeria and across the country, while also conveying its goodwill to every Nigerian citizen.
Scriptural Calls for Harmony and Respect
The elders anchored their message with direct references from the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an, highlighting the common ground between Nigeria's major faiths. First, they recalled the biblical verse from Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."
Jiddere stated that this timeless proclamation speaks directly to Nigeria's shared aspiration for national harmony. Immediately following, the forum cited Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13) from the Qur'an: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."
The forum interpreted this profound guidance as an affirmation that Nigeria's religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity is a divine trust. They argued that this diversity must be preserved through sustained tolerance and genuine understanding among all citizens.
A Call for National Dialogue and Safety
The Northern Elders Forum positioned Nigeria at a critical juncture, where unity and collective responsibility are non-negotiable. They urged a sincere national reflection during the festive period and called on citizens, leaders, institutions, and communities to actively reject division and hate.
The path forward, according to the NEF, lies in a recommitment to peaceful dialogue and working together for collective progress. Furthermore, the forum issued a strong plea for safety during the holiday travels.
"No celebration is complete if human life is lost or endangered," Jiddere asserted. The NEF appealed for caution and responsibility among all road users and urged security agencies and community leaders to remain vigilant in protecting lives and property throughout the season.
Hope for the New Year
Looking ahead to the coming year, the Northern Elders Forum expressed a hopeful vision for a Nigeria steered by wisdom, justice, and compassion. They maintained that with sincere leadership and responsible citizenship, the nation can overcome its present challenges.
The ultimate goal, the forum concluded, is steady movement toward lasting peace, stability, and shared prosperity for all. The NEF prayed that the Christmas spirit would bring comfort to every home and that the New Year would usher in a renewed sense of hope, national healing, and stronger brotherhood across Nigeria.
