YULETIDE 2025: Bunu urges Christians to uphold faith, tolerance and love amid national trials
Maureen Aguta
The President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has felicitated Christians in Nigeria and across the globe on the occasion of Christmas, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.
In his Yuletide message, Comrade Bunu called on Christians in every part of the country to remain steadfast in faith, patience and tolerance despite the trials, persecutions and uncertainties confronting them.
He reminded believers that the life and mission of Jesus Christ were marked by sacrifice, compassion and suffering, noting that although Christ went about doing good—healing the sick and caring for the needy—He was rejected, persecuted and ultimately crucified.
According to the MWUN leader, the essence of Christianity lies in living a Christ-like life anchored on love, forgiveness, humility and kindness to one another.
He stressed that Christianity is not merely a confession of faith but a daily commitment to behave like Christ, warning that abandoning these virtues amounts to straying from the true principles of the faith.
“Without imbibing the Christ-like character of love, tolerance and forgiveness in our daily lives, we risk falling short of the ideals of Christianity,” Comrade Bunu said, while praying that believers will continue to enjoy the grace and favour of God in their spiritual journey.
Describing Jesus Christ as the true reason for the Yuletide season, the MWUN President-General urged Christians to demonstrate practical love through charity and almsgiving, especially to the needy and vulnerable in society. He emphasized that such acts of kindness should transcend religious, ethnic, tribal or cultural boundaries, noting that compassion and humanity remain universal values.
Comrade Bunu also commended Christians for their resilience and tolerance in the face of ongoing security challenges, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria where persistent violence has resulted in loss of lives, displacement of families and a growing number of homeless and out-of-school children. He expressed confidence that God is not oblivious to the suffering of both Christians and Muslims in the affected areas, assuring that justice will ultimately prevail.
He called for peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths, stressing that love remains the strongest foundation for building a sane, stable and united society. “God is love, and for Nigeria to thrive, we must give love a chance,” he said.
The MWUN leader further noted that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has the responsibility and capacity to address the country’s security challenges. He expressed optimism that, with decisive action and divine intervention, peace will be restored, allowing Nigeria to reclaim its pride of place as the “Giant of Africa.”
“As we celebrate Christmas, I pray that the spirit of the season will bring renewed hope, peace and unity to our nation. May the Almighty God answer our collective prayers and usher Nigeria into a more prosperous and peaceful New Year,” Comrade Bunu concluded.