Yuletide: Catholic Bishop cautions against profiteering during festive season
Yuletide
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Awka, Dec. 24, 2025 (NAN) The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has cautioned against the practice of profiteering during the Yuletide, describing it as unfair and contrary to Christian values.
Ezeokafor gave the warning in his Christmas message on Wednesday in Awka, decrying the tendency of some individuals to take advantage of festive periods to overcharge others.
The bishop quoted the Book of Luke 3:13, which admonishes, ‘Collect no more than what you have been ordered to,’.
He said that celebrations should be marked by fairness, compassion and consideration for others.
According to him, it is wrong for people to exploit periods of high demand during festivities to pursue excessive and greedy profits, especially at the expense of fellow citizens.
“The high cost of transportation during the Christmas season is not fair. I know friends and people who have complained about their inability to afford travel expenses to reunite with their families.
“Right now, travelling from Abuja or Lagos to the eastern part of the country has become prohibitively expensive during the festive period.
“In developed countries, costs of living and services are often reduced or subsidised during celebrations to enable more people to participate in the joy of the season.
“The trend of escalating prices during festivities in Nigeria is unfortunate and I call on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of moderation, fairness and love that Christmas represents,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
LCO/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle