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Tag: Kukah

  • Bishop Kukah’s brother narrates ordeal in kidnapper’s den

    Bishop Kukah’s brother narrates ordeal in kidnapper’s den

    Mr Ishaya Kukah, brother to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, on Tuesday recounted his harrowing experience in the hands of bandits who had held him and others captive.

    Kukah spoke with newsmen on Tuesday when the National Security Adviser (NSA),

    Mr Ishaya Kukah, brother to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, on Tuesday recounted his harrowing experience in the hands of bandits who had held him and others captive.

    Kukah spoke with newsmen on Tuesday when the National Security Adviser (NSA),

    Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, handed over 60 rescued victims to their families in Abuja.

    He said he had given up hope of surviving before his rescue with others by the troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

    “Frankly speaking, I had already given up. I didn’t think I would come out alive because of how they were treating us in the bush.

    “We suffered too much. They used to chain us in twos. If you wanted to defecate or urinate, you had to move together,” he said.

    Kukah said that the victims were pressured into agreeing to ransom demands due to the torture they endured.

    According to him, if they noticed you are reluctant, they will beat or even kill you.

    “If not for the Federal Government, we would still be in the bush. Thank you for what you have done. God bless you,” he said.

    Another rescued victim, Adesanya Michael, a Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, who was abducted from his residence in Kubwa, Abuja, advocated for a non-combative approach to tackling banditry.

    He said the bandits, mostly aged between 17 and 21, were stark illiterates and victims of circumstance.

    “I was chained for 32 days. Most of them can’t even count up to a million. They don’t know what they’re doing.

    “Instead of killing them, the government should arrest, educate, and rehabilitate them. Some of them want to learn trades. They can still be useful,” he said.

    Michael, who was kidnapped on Jan. 26 and released on April 7, recounted how his wife was killed in his presence.

    “When they kill someone in front of you, you will give them anything they want. They killed my wife before me. In that moment, if they asked for my head, I would have given it,” he said.

  • Akume, Kukah, others to grace oldest newspaper in Nig, Catholic Herald Centenary Lecture, Awards+Photos

    Akume, Kukah, others to grace oldest newspaper in Nig, Catholic Herald Centenary Lecture, Awards+Photos

    Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper is set to hold its Centenary Lecture and Awards presentation themed, ‘The Nigerian State: Transcending Challenges; Attaining True Nationhood.’

    Slated for October 5, 2024, at ‘The Hall’, Victoria Island, Lagos, it would be chaired by Senator (Dr.) George Akume CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, and Publisher, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper; Chief Host of the dual event, said the lecture will bother on examining the pitfalls to forging nationhood and recommend the way forward to achieving a cohesive nation.

    In a statement on Friday, Archbishop Martins said the Lecture would be delivered by Most Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.

    He said, “Senator George Akume, a citizen whose credential is steeped in rich and robust experience as a civil servant, public administrator, politician and high-calibre national leader is very qualified to chair the event. He has, in the past 24 years, been a principal actor in the executive and legislative arms of government. In those capacities, he has made salient contributions, at subnational and national levels, to the building of Nigerian statehood under a
    democratic dispensation.

    “More so, Bishop Kukah is an authority that we can always bank on for a critical topic such as this. We believe that his presentation in this regard will be unparalleled and a centenary lecture on this theme will also be of great benefit to the nation and its citizenry.”

    Archbishop Martins further disclosed that Mr. Femi Otedola is The Catholic Herald Man @ Centenary adding that a host of eminent Nigerians, lay organisations and institution would be honoured with distinguished award of the newspaper.

    According to the Publisher of the Catholic Lagos Archdiocesan newspaper, the truly Nigerian newspaper played a pivotal role in the attainment of Nigeria’s independence through its compelling news stories and editorials that spoke truth to the authorities.

    “Its original concept of a distinct nationalist and democratic orientation beyond its primary goal of enhancing the Catholic spirituality of the lay faithful is still at the heart of The Catholic Herald’s editorial operations till date,” Archbishop Martins remarked.

    “We have made history together with the Nigerian nation. Post amalgamation, pre-independence, independence and through the phases of the nation ever since, the newspaper has been marching hand-in-hand with Nigeria and its citizenry availing Catholics compelling editorials that fully instill Christian spirit as well as engendering a peaceful and just society utilising a host of resources and media technology,” he added.

    Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Director, Directorate of Social Communications, Archdiocese of Lagos said the Centenary Lecture and Awards Presentation will be graced by top government functionaries, political chieftains, captains of industries, religious leaders, royal fathers, elder statesmen, scholars, human right activists, lay leaders, the media and other relevant stakeholders for a robust and balanced dialogue.

    Founded on June 21, 1924, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper, Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper clocked 100 on June 21, 2024. The Centenary Lecture and Awards presentation is part of the year-long activities marking the 100 year anniversary of the newspaper establishment.

    Recall that on Thursday, April 4, 2024, The Catholic Herald flagged off activities for its centenary celebrations at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Lagos. It was marked with the unveiling of Centenary and Awards Presentation logos. Other commemorative events of The Catholic Herald @ 100 include showcase of The Catholic Herald Awardees, the 2nd Lagos Archdiocesan Communications Conference and The Herald 100 (Thanksgiving Mass and Presentation of Certificates).

    According to Fr. Godonu, The Catholic Herald newspaper founded by Bishop Ferdinand Terrien, SMA was initially surnamed ‘Nigerian Catholic Herald’ and was published from St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

    He stated that as recounted by Fr. Peter McCawille, SMA, in his book, ‘Leaving Legacy in Lagos’, the Catholic Archdiocesan newspaper was “printed by the Vicariate’s St. Paul Press as a monthly (newspaper).

    Fr. Godonu recalled, “For many years, it was the sole organ of public information and opinion for the Catholic Church throughout Nigeria. From a monthly, it appeared fortnightly and then weekly.” One Fr. Edward Peter Bermingham was very instrumental in its growth in the 1940s.

    He was said to have run the newspaper from St. Paul Catholic Church, Ebute Metta and then from then St. Matthew Catholic Church, Yaba, infusing new life into the newspaper.

    “Since then, the newspaper has passed through many hands ranging from Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu to Very Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, and late Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Adebayo.

    “The Catholic Herald newspaper surely has had its ups and downs. But here we are today celebrating 100 years of existence.”

  • There must be order to hold govs accountable to find criminals defiling religion – Bishop Kukah

    There must be order to hold govs accountable to find criminals defiling religion – Bishop Kukah

    The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said there must be an order to hold governors accountable to find criminals defiling religion in Nigeria.

    Kukah made this assertion at the 60-year celebrations of call to bar of Afe Babalola, SAN, on Monday.

    The Bishop said for ver 40years now we have been going back to rebuild our churches whenever they are burnt, the Nigerian state doesn’t care; there must be an order that holds a governor accountable, to finding criminals who are defiling religion, who are accusing people in the name of religion, they have no right to kill even their own people.

    “A woman cannot say that I gave birth to this child, I carried her in my womb then I am going to kill her, even if she does, because she is exercising what she thinks is a right, the system may tell her, you may have carried her in your womb but you have no right over her life.

    “A country where anybody can just wake up and say you are accused of blasphemy, we are not in a theocracy, we are in a democracy, there must be therefore sanctions and punishment because if somebody goes and burn a church or mosque, what are the consequences?

    “So for me, these are some of the fundamental issues, the constitution is very clear about the boundaries of religion.

    “But we have a country where, right now as I am talking to you, there are many federal universities where there are no churches, there are no mosques, what are the reasons?

    “Many universities, land has been provided for the building of churches but vice chancellors, chairman of governing councils, are turning a blind eye.

    “I therefore demand that the president of Nigeria by executive order must say that every federal institutions, whether it is medical, whether it is educational, must reflect what Nigeria reflects.

    “The fact that Afe Babalola who has sold everything to build a university, to make him vice chancellor of either Usman Danfodio or University of Nigeria Nsukka, it is unthinkable because like joke, like joke, we have come to a point in Nigeria where the federal government is spending money on some universities, prejudices, ethnicity and deepening the cleavages of local class.

    “We cannot be a people, so when Nigeria talk about ethnicity and so on, it is because the government has not done enough to enforce that because if you insist that the vice chancellor, because the impression that government create is that we built this university for this community.

    “So you go to many universities as I said, even in state universities, the governor now take pride in ensuring that only our son and that is why the universities have become so convoluted in Nigeria, every day strike because people who are holding the reins of power, most of them are not eminently qualified, they are just qualified by virtue of religion or they are qualified by ethnicity.

    “So I close by saying Nigeria needs to grow, Nigeria needs to develop, Nigeria needs to be democratized but that it is important that to make Nigerians to treasure democracy, to make Nigerians feel comfortable democracy, we must appreciate the democratization of development.

    “That is that the federal government must make sure that it says, it has earmarked that tells where citizens are because if you don’t democratized development, you cannot develop democracy.

    “So my conclusion is that, the democratization of development leads to the development of democracy.
    THE END

  • Nigerians saw ugliest phase of corruption under Buhari’s administration – Bishop Kukah

    Nigerians saw ugliest phase of corruption under Buhari’s administration – Bishop Kukah

    The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Nigerians witnessed massive corruption under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said this at the 60th call to bar anniversary celebration of legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State on Monday.

    Bishop Kukah explained that even though corruption did not start under the last administration, they amplified it in moral, financial and other terms.

    “We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria, Femi Falana, my friend here will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration.

    “They were not the ones who caused corruption but I think in the last administration, we saw the ugliest phase of corruption whether in moral terms, financial terms and other terms,” Kukah said.

    The clergyman lamented that Nigeria is sharing its sovereignty which is guaranteed in the constitution with bandits and other terrorists.

    He said that nobody is excited now about being a Nigerian even if they are President or Senators, as the country is literally being held hostage by people who threaten the very existence of our democracy and country.

    Kukah noted that a lot of Nigerians have lost faith in the judiciary but added that he considers the judiciary a victim the same way every other institution in Nigeria is suffering a crisis.

    According to him, Nigeria should not yet assume that it is a democracy but instead assume that it is matching towards democracy, which means rebuilding Nigeria “after the kind of mess the last administration has left the country.”

    The Bishop said it is time to rebuild the country, adding that no matter what happens at the Supreme Court concerning the election, he is convinced that Nigerians have put the “ugly past” behind them.

    The event celebrating 60 years at the bar of the founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, attracted a host of dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Falana, SAN, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku among others.

  • Nigeria is a broken country, decomposing from within, Kukah tackles Buhari-led govt

    Nigeria is a broken country, decomposing from within, Kukah tackles Buhari-led govt

    Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has drawn attention once again to the perilous state of Nigeria, declaring that the nation is decomposing from within.

    “Nigeria is a broken country. It is decomposing from within. Our heart is broken and lives are hemorrhaging by the day”, he said.

    Kukah spoke in a sermon on 23 September at the Priestly Ordination of Five Deacons at the Holy Family Cathedral.

    The church made available the text of the sermon to coincide with Nigeria’s 61st anniversary as an independent country.

    Kukah wondered why the Buhari government has refused to release the names of Boko Haram sponsors.

    “We cannot go on like this”, he said.

    The priest, who is known for always telling truth to power noted that the country and people have become so traumatised and sedated by horrible news, that have now become comfortable in “this swamp of evil”.

    “No number of horrific deaths, murders, sexual violence and kidnapping of children or adults can make us stop our life of debauchery. Life goes in Nigeria! We become experts at burying the dead, but refuse to ask why the killings continue.

    “Morally, we cannot tell what time it is. We cannot overstate the reality. It is clear that neither politics nor economic models can fix the country.

    “The political class is in the state of inebriation with the drug of power and loot.

    “We neither know what is wrong nor who is wrong. We are hiding under the belief that the proponents or the apostles of this culture of death that has turned our country into an inferno have neither name or address.

    “The federal government has told us it is not ready to publicise the names of those funding Boko Haram. We cannot go on like this.

    “Interrogating, questioning these existential threats to our common humanity is the apostolate that we Priests are called to.

    “We know that this road is dangerous, it is rocky, it is treacherous, it takes lives, but it is all too familiar.

  • Ortom knocks presidency, backs Bishop Kukah on claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria

    Ortom knocks presidency, backs Bishop Kukah on claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has backed the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah over his recent comments on insecurity.

    Kukah had during an address to the US Congress Commission on July 15, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of showing preference to people of his religion which according to him, has worsened the rivalry between Christians and Muslims.

    Kukah said the Buhari administration has failed to address insecurity but the presidency had replied the Catholic bishop, accusing him of trying to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.

    The Presidency has since tackled Kukah, describing his comments as “unfortunate and disappointing”, complaining that the cleric “castigated” Nigeria before the US lawmakers.

    However, supporting the cleric via a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, Terver Akase, Governor Ortom asked the Federal Government to stop intimidating patriotic Nigerians who are raising genuine concerns over the worsening security and economic situation in the country.

    Ortom said he “stands with Bishop Kukah on the issues he raised,” adding that he would have said similar things if he were to address the same audience.

    “Governor Ortom states that the country is practicing democracy which has no room for repression and dictatorship,” the statement partly read.

    “He notes that the country’s Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens, unlike a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.”

    The Benue governor described the cleric as “one Nigerian who is selfless and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to ensure justice, the rule of law and equity for all.”

    He also took a swipe at the Presidency’s response to the criticism, wondering why the current administration has chosen to politicize the views of Bishop Kukah when all the issues he highlighted in his address are facts about the country.

    “He says Kukah was right when he stated that nepotism has been elevated above federal character by the present administration. He further agrees with the Bishop that Christians across the country are targets of elimination and thousands have already fallen to the sword of jihadist supremacists,” the statement added.

    See the full statement issued by Governor Samuel Ortom below:

    I STAND WITH BISHOP KUKAH – GOV ORTOM

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom describes as unfortunate, the response of the Presidency to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah’s address to the United States Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding the wave of insecurity in the country.

    The Governor says he stands with Bishop Kukah on the issues he raised and stresses that he would have said similar things if he were to address the same audience.

    He advises the Federal Government to stop intimidating patriotic Nigerians who are raising genuine concerns over the worsening security and economic situation in the country.

    Governor Ortom states that the country is practicing democracy which has no room for repression and dictatorship. He notes that the country’s Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens, unlike a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.

    He says Bishop Kukah is one Nigerian who is selfless and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to ensure justice, the rule of law and equity for all.

    The Governor wonders why the Presidency has chosen to politicize the views of Bishop Kukah when all the issues he highlighted in his address are facts about the country.

    He says Kukah was right when he stated that nepotism has been elevated above federal character by the present administration. He further agrees with the Bishop that Christians across the country are targets of elimination and thousands have already fallen to the sword of jihadist supremacists.

    Governor Ortom states that Kukah is not to blame for the ranking of Nigeria as the 8th least peaceful country in Africa and the rating of killer herdsmen as the 4th deadliest terror group in the world by the Global Terrorism Index.

    He expects the Presidency to rather be worried that Nigeria is ranked as the most terrorised nation in Africa with an average of over 2,000 deaths per year on account of terrorism.

    He emphasizes that the combative approach the Presidency has adopted in engaging citizens on issues will not solve the problems confronting the country.

    Governor Ortom says Bishop Kukah is not the first Nigerian to address a foreign audience on the security situation in the country. He recalls that in February, 2015 President Buhari was at the time the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, when he delivered a speech at Chatham House in London, where he stated that “Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals.” The President went on to announce to the world on that occasion that apart from the civil war era, Nigeria had never been more insecure in the country’s history.

    The Governor states that if a man who was seeking to govern the country could reel out such scary statistics, why will his aides now launch media attacks on a clergyman who is only advocating peace and is drawing the attention of the global community to the plight of helpless Nigerians.

    Governor Ortom once again tasks the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute members of armed Fulani groups for killing innocent Nigerians, the same way it effected the arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho to prove critics wrong that its fight against terrorism and other crimes is unbiased.

    He says the President may not be collecting proceeds from corrupt deals under his administration and may even not be aware that such shady deals exist, but some of his aides are deeply involved in corrupt practices and are denying Nigerians of the services and projects meant to alleviate poverty and hunger in the land.

    Governor Ortom maintains that the President may also not be aware that Nigerians are facing harsh economic conditions and many are being killed by bandits, herdsmen and other terrorists because some of the persons saddled with the responsibility of telling him the truth have refused to do so.

    He urges the Presidency to listen to the voices of reason and resist the temptation to whip into silence those who genuinely love the country and are offering solutions to its challenges.

    Terver Akase

    Chief Press Secretary

    July 24, 2021.

  • Insecurity: Nigerian leaders heartless, no blood in their veins – Bishop Kukah

    Insecurity: Nigerian leaders heartless, no blood in their veins – Bishop Kukah

    Bishop Matthew Kukah apparently peeved with the escalating state of insecurity in Nigeria has said Nigerian leaders have no blood flowing in their veins.

    Kukah said this in his homily at the burial of late Rev Fr. Alphosus Yasshim Bello at Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Church, Independence Way, Kaduna.

    Fr. Alphonsus Yashim Bello was kidnapped and murdered by suspected bandits on 21st May, 2021 in Katsina.

    He was kidnapped alongside Rev Fr Joseph Keke.

    According to Kukah, “Those who govern us are allowing this killing of citizens in their innocency because they have no blood in their hearts.

    “There is no where in the whole world where barbarity and killings of human lives as being manifested in Nigeria of today.

    There is no where citizens can be slaughtered in the whole world without the government showing empathy and concern.

    “The continuous barbaric slaughter and murder of our people in their innocency suggest that our beautiful Presidential Villa, National Assembly, government houses are not evidence of civilization.

    How did Nigeria come to this tragic situation? We know who they are, who they believed in and where their inspiration comes from. The government have never declared the kidnappers to be a terrorists group.

    He queried, “Is it possible that you have a country where people have sworn with Qur’an and Bible to uphold the principle of governance, that they will do everything within their power to protect and defend the integrity of Nigerians and suddenly we are where we are today?

    “I think the President and governors of Nigeria should address Nigerians and say, ‘fellow Nigerians, I have sworn that I will not protect you from foreign invaders, kidnappers and being killed.

    “‘You are on your own. Your security is in your own hands. Keeping you safe is not our immediate priority.

  • Nigerian leaders heartless; we know our killers but they won’t declare them terrorists – Kukah

    Nigerian leaders heartless; we know our killers but they won’t declare them terrorists – Kukah

    Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has described Nigerian leaders as heartless for allegedly watching bandits and terrorists turn the country into a killing field.

    In his homily during the burial of Fr. Alphosus Bello at Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Church, Kaduna, yesterday, he slammed President Muhammadu Buhari administration for failing to address the country’s security challenges.

    Kukah said: “Those who govern us are allowing this killing of citizens because they have no blood in their hearts.”

    Bello was kidnapped, alongside Fr. Joseph Keke, and murdered in Katsina by bandits on May 21, 2021.

    “There is nowhere in the whole world that citizens can be slaughtered without the government showing empathy and concern. The continuous barbaric slaughter of our people in their innocence suggests that our beautiful Presidential Villa, National Assembly and government houses are not moving with civilisation.

    “How did Nigeria come to this tragic situation? We know who they are, whom they believe in and where their inspiration comes from. But the government has never declared the kidnappers a terrorist group,” he added.

    According to Kukah, there is no ambiguity about the killers. “We hear and live with stories of complicity at the highest level. Christians can only rely on the faithful word of God.”

    The cleric wondered how leaders, who swore with the Qur’an and Bible to uphold the principle of governance, would leave the country at the mercy of criminals.

    He urged them to reverse the vow to: “I have sworn that I will not protect you from foreign invaders, kidnappers and being killed. You are on your own. Your security is in your own hands. Keeping you safe is not our immediate priority. Foreign bandits or anyone can come at will, kill, loot, rape, kidnap and murder you. They can wipe out your communities, destroy your homes and your farmlands.

    “They can kidnap or murder your children at will. They can rustle your cattle. If they kidnap your children, wives or husbands, we will consider you criminals for negotiating for their release. We are preparing a law that could see you go to jail for 15 years for this heinous crime against your fatherland.”

    Kukah, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer, saying that “God will lead us out of this tragic situation.”

  • Presidency comes for Bishop Kukah again over Easter Message bashing Buhari

    Presidency comes for Bishop Kukah again over Easter Message bashing Buhari

    The Presidency has reacted to the Sunday Easter sermon of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rt. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, in which he bashed President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as factually incorrect and unfair.

    The Presidency reacted to the homily in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Sunday.

    Shehu said: “All citizens have their individual ideologies, even their own versions of truth.

    “But if you profess to being a man of God, as Father Mathew Hassan Kukah does, ideology should not stand in the way of facts and fairness.

    “Father Kukah has said some things that are inexplicable in his Easter massage.

    “But, in saying that the Boko Haram terrorism is worse than it was in 2015, he did not speak like a man of God. Kukah should go to Borno or Adamawa to ask the citizens there the difference between 2014 and 2021. Furthermore, the Hijab issue in Kwara State on which he dwelt is a state matter which the courts of the land have adjudicated. They are matters that have appeared in several states as far back as the Obasanjo administration. In all of that, when and where did the name of President Buhari feature?

    “He is playing partisan politics by dragging the President into it.

    “An administration that has created a whole Ministry, for the first time in the country’s history, appropriating enormous resources to it, to deal with issues of internally displaced persons cannot, in all rightfulness be accused of not caring for them.

    “Some of the comments are no more than a sample of the unrestrained rhetoric Fr. Kukah trades in, which he often does in the guise of a homily.

    “We urge well-meaning citizens to continue to support the ongoing efforts by the administration to secure the country and move it forward.”

  • Nigeria has become a massive killing field – Kukah

    Nigeria has become a massive killing field – Kukah

    Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah has observed that there is a growing fear among Nigerians whether the country’s glory is about to depart owing to Boko Haram, banditry, Kidnapping, armed robbery and other merchants of death happening across the nation.

    He made this known in his Easter message titled, ‘Before our Glory Departs’, according to him today the citizens of this country are being traumatised by bandits.

    “The nation has since become a massive killing field, as both government and the governed look on helplessly. A thick and suffocating cloud of desperation, despondency, desolation, gloom, and misery hangs in the hot air.

    “We have no message and have no idea how long this will last. Our people seek solace and protection, but frustration and darkness threaten to drown them. Is their government on AWOL?”

    According to him, there is collective fear as to whether Nigeria’s glory is about to depart!

    He noted that retired military and intelligence officers lament over what has become of their glorious profession as they watch the humiliation of our military personnel. Traumatised citizens are tortured daily by bandits.

    “Two weeks ago, I came across a video in which a very frustrated Muslim cleric, addressing a Muslim audience, lamented: If you killed 200 chickens in the farm of any of the big farmers, you will be dealt with. But today, we are being killed. It is your fault. On the day of elections, you say, it is Jihad! Christians will take over Nigeria! Ok, the Christians did not take Nigeria. It has been left in the hands of those who sit and see us being killed.

    “If we are killed, the head says, God forbid! He was not elected to say God forbid. This imaginary jihad won the elections now where are the jihadists? The lesson here is that politicians will use religion to mobilise for elections, but they cannot use it to govern.”

    Also he said, “The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria weighed in with a strong statement on February 23, 2021, titled, We Must Pull Back from the Brink of Collapse. Part of the statement read: The very survival of the nation is at stake. The nation is pulling apart. Widespread serious insecurity for long unaddressed has left the sad and dangerous impressions that those who have assumed the duty and authority to secure the nation are either unable, or worse, unwilling to take up the responsibilities to their office. Patience is running out. Sadly, all of these warnings are still falling on deaf ears.”

    However, he pointed out that “It may sound strange, but for us Christians, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ is the greatest assurance that all these will pass away.

    “This is not a call for us to simply sit on our hands or believe we can pray our crises away. As pointed out above, the sufferings of Jesus and His Cross provide us with the perfect mirror of our hope. St. Paul reminds us: We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.

    “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:9). These are the hallmarks of our faith. We must remain steadfast.

    To this end he appealed to Christians to continue in the spirit of the Gospel, saying, ‘the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. St. Paul says: Though He was God, he humbled himself, became man and remained obedient up till death (Phil. 2:6ff).

    “Following in His steps, we Christians have lived through the life of martyrdom. Jesus taught us how to pray for our enemies (Mt. 5:44). Although His teachings are hard (Jn. 6:60), it was not the guns of a powerful army that brought down the walls of Jericho.

    “The prayers of the priests did (Jos. 6:20). Jesus defied the temptations of coming down from the Cross. He knew there was a higher truth deferred. It was fulfilled on Easter day. No matter the provocation, we must arm ourselves with the weapons of truth, the Word, the Spirit, and love. At the heart of Christianity is the Truth and Love.

    “Today, many of us erroneously speak about the trial of Jesus by Pilate on Good Friday. In reality, it was Pilate who stood trial, not Jesus. Pilate sat on a throne to judge what he himself was ignorant of–the truth. Chained by ignorance, the powerful often grope around a twilight zone between truth and lies.

    “At the mention of the word “Truth” by Jesus, Pilate was jolted from his chair. In trepidation and apprehension, the mighty man says, Truth, what is that? (Jn. 18:38). Pilate was looking for the Truth but did not recognise it when it stood right before him. In every age, the seduction of raw power tends to blind the Pilates of this world to the truth.

    “Bishop Kukah noted when governments face legitimacy crises, they fall back on serving the sour broth of propaganda, half-truths, and outright lies, saying,’ they manufacture consent by creating imaginary enemies, setting citizens against one another by deploying religion, ethnicity, region, and other platforms while appealing to the base emotions of patriotism.

    “We forget the reality that without truth, the throne of power often turns into a cage, and the occupant is turned into a prisoner. In reality, the truth needs neither a judge nor a witness. The truth is its own judge and witness. Without the truth, as the old song says, all else is sinking sand!”

    Nigeria has become a massive killing field ― Bishop Kukah