The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has attributed Nigeria’s lack of measurable progress since independence to the nation’s tendency to decide on darkness over gentle.
Delivering his Christmas message on the Holy Household Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday evening, Kukah emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and particular person conduct may considerably enhance the nation’s present state.
“Nigeria’s lack of seen and measurable progress is tied to the truth that we have now chosen darkness relatively than gentle.
“Think about if we let the sunshine shine on our public service, on our politics, on our particular person, group, and nationwide life, and on our public establishments. Think about what Nigeria can be like if we selected gentle as an alternative of darkness,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to stay by the message of the Christian hymn, “They’ll know we’re Christians by our love,” highlighting that the nation’s journey to greatness stays constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.
The bishop additionally expressed concern over the dominance of ethnicity and faith in accessing alternatives, which, he stated, typically overshadows the sense of widespread citizenship.
He famous that emotions of exclusion push many voters towards violence and frustration, additional undermining nationwide unity.
“We’re nonetheless unable to embrace the beliefs of our nationwide anthem that claims: ‘Although tribe and tongue might differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Range is a present from God. Allow us to use it successfully as a instrument for nationwide mobilization and cohesion,” he suggested.
Kukah additionally lauded the passage of the Not Too Younger to Run Invoice in 2018, which opened doorways for elevated youth participation in politics.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, such because the excessive prices of political participation and problems with inside democracy, which nonetheless hinder younger folks’s energetic engagement.
He additionally counseled the enactment of the Pupil Mortgage Act 2024 and the institution of the Nigerian Training Mortgage Fund by the federal authorities.
These initiatives, he famous, have the potential to broaden alternatives for Nigerian youth, together with these pursuing vocational and technical abilities.
“It’s important that the Act doesn’t restrict entry to school college students alone. We hope this mission shall be freed from bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, making certain that poverty doesn’t exclude anybody from receiving schooling,” Kukah stated.
He inspired the youth to take full benefit of those alternatives whereas additionally expressing concern concerning the ongoing safety challenges within the nation, which he described as a persistent impediment to nationwide stability.
Kukah, nonetheless, referred to as on all Nigerians to decide on the trail of sunshine, unity, and love, stressing that these values are important for the nation’s progress and improvement.