The Executive Director of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), Audu Kashim Israel, has extended warm Christmas greetings to Christians across Nigeria, urging them to embrace the true essence of the season—love, tolerance, unity, and hope.
In his Christmas message, Audu Kashim Israel highlighted the spiritual significance of Christmas, explaining that the word Christmas means “Christ’s Mass” or “Mass on Christ’s Day,” derived from the Middle English Christemasse and the Old English Cristes mæsse. He noted that Christmas is a sacred Christian festival that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents a season that runs from Advent—a four-week period of preparation and waiting—through Epiphany.
According to him, the Christmas season is rich with religious and cultural traditions that bring families together while emphasizing values such as joy, generosity, goodwill, and faith. He described Christmas as a major time for family gatherings, reconnection, and strengthening of bonds, adding that gift-giving and acts of charity during the season reflect God’s ultimate gift to humanity—Jesus Christ.
As Nigerians celebrate Christmas this year, the KADIFF Executive Director called on citizens to reflect deeply on the teachings of Christ and the true reason for the celebration. He acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the country, including insecurity, killings, kidnappings, terrorism, and economic hardship, and urged governments at all levels to rise to their responsibilities by restoring hope and improving the quality of life for citizens.
He expressed hope for a Nigeria characterized by peace, unity, improved healthcare, better public infrastructure, and enhanced living conditions for all.
Addressing creatives and public figures, Audu Kashim Israel emphasized their responsibility to serve as role models by producing content and films that promote hope, unity, love, and positive values, especially during the festive season and beyond.
He further encouraged Nigerians to use the Christmas period to show genuine love and compassion, shunning hatred, envy, jealousy, and bitterness, while embracing forgiveness and brotherly kindness. He urged families celebrating the season to remember the poor, the less privileged, widows, orphans, and those who may not have the means or opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
In the spirit of the Yuletide, Audu Kashim Israel announced a special opportunity for filmmakers, revealing that entries for the 9th Kaduna International Film Festival can be submitted using the waiver code “KADIFF09” from December 24, 2025, to January 2, 2026, via FilmFreeway.
He concluded his message with prayers for individuals seeking the fruit of the womb, expressing faith that God would visit them during the season with joy and answered prayers.
Kashim in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications, KADIFF, Ambrose Fadoyin said; “I pray that as we celebrate this season, the Almighty God will visit those trusting Him for children, and that cries of babies will be heard in their homes. May God also grant everyone their heart’s desires,” he prayed.
The KADIFF Executive Director wished Christians and Nigerians at large a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2026.