Tag: Matthew Kukah

Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming he argued that Christians in Nigeria are not facing persecution.

Kukah described the allegation as false, stating that he was surprised that, despite the clarity of his stance, some individuals were still determined to attribute such a position to him.

In a statement titled “Of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria: My response,” the bishop said the media reports misrepresented his comments. 

Earlier reports had quoted him as questioning the narrative of Christian persecution, allegedly citing the high number of educated Christians and their control of a significant share of the economy.

He was quoted as saying, “If you are a Christian in Nigeria and you say you are persecuted, my question is: how? At least 80 per cent of educated Nigerians are Christians, and up to 85 per cent of the Nigerian economy is controlled by Christians. With such figures, how can anyone say Christians are being persecuted?”

However, clarifying his remarks, Kukah explained that he was merely calling for unity among Christians. 

He emphasised that with the resources and influence available to the Christian community, the major challenge remained unity and solidarity—not the absence of persecution.

“For over a week, I have been in the news on the basis of multiple claims that I had said that there was no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The outpouring of emotions is understandable especially against the backdrop of the inviolability of life, the extermination of which must not be undermined by any debates on numbers or intent.

Read Also: Police conduct pre-deployment training on child protection in armed conflict

“I am grateful to my colleagues at The Kukah Centre, who issued a Statement while I was caught up with a tight schedule. I nevertheless believe that is no substitute for my personal responsibility.

“First, let me say how sincerely sorry I am to be associated with representations that understandably are a source of great pain and mental anguish to so many of my brothers and sisters within the body of Christ. The outpouring of emotions suggests to me the investment of trust in me, an onus I do not take lightly. 

 “I am baffled that despite the clarity of my position, there appear to be determined efforts to ascribe to me a position as saying that there is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“So, for the record, I did not say that Christians are not persecuted in Nigeria! Addressing an audience of the Catholic Knights of St. Mulumba in Kaduna on November 28th, I had spoken about the challenges of bearing witness to Christ in a time of persecution. I drew lessons from history and the stories of brave men and women in Nigeria and Africa as models of witnessing in times such as these.

“ I concluded that the greatest challenge for Christians was unity and solidarity. Given the huge human and material resources that we have as Christians in Nigeria, if only we stood together, I argued, we would have no reason to be victims of persecution. Nothing here implied a denial of the fate of Christians,” the renowned cleric stated. 

 “Over the years, he stressed that he had spoken extensively on the theme of persecution of Christians and had argued then as now that by whatever name it is described, the bloodshed needed to end as soon as yesterday because common humanity is at stake.

The government and its security agencies, he said, have an urgent responsibility to bring the perpetrators to account, pointing out that it is their neglect of this duty or their failure to accomplish it that has detained everyone in an appearance of disagreement without difference.

“As a people, I believe we owe ourselves the collective duty to regain our humanity not as perpetual victims but as equal citizens of our land. Too many innocent souls have been lost, too much blood shed and our children and citizens are in captivity. Amidst the nadir of this pain, it is important that we focus on reclaiming the soul of our nation

“I am deeply sorry for the unnecessary distraction. These moments are too serious for us to equivocate. This is not the time for us to retreat or be distracted. This is a contest that we must win. The journey may be painful. We may falter along the way but we will only reach our destination by learning our lessons, standing up even when we stumble, and always keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize, peace for our country, justice for those injured, and reconciliation for our people.

 “This is a struggle that I have committed most of my pastoral and intellectual life to. It is a struggle in which I pray that, by clinging to the old rugged cross, we can one day exchange it for a crown. So, let us all get back on the road especially as the spirit of Bethlehem beckons” he added. 

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Archbishop Matthew Kukah of the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese have stressed the importance of family values in ensuring Nigeria’s security and building a peaceful, resilient nation.

The duo spoke on Monday at the opening of Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.

Archbishop Kukah’s paper on “Relationship between Family Dynamics and National Security” was delivered by Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, who represented him.

The Sultan of Sokoto echoed the importance of family as the foundation of national security, saying, “The smallest yet most important building block of society is the family. Weak families produce weak communities while strong families sustain peaceful and resilient nations.”

He stressed that most values shaping security culture are acquired in early childhood within the family, long before schools or other institutions exert influence. “The world has not and will never invent anything to replace the family,” he said.

Read Also: Erosion of family values fuelling insecurity, says First Lady Oluremi Tinubu

Tracing lessons from history, the Sultan recalled the Sokoto Caliphate, noting that Sheikh Abdullahi’s writings on child-rearing served as the social policy of the Caliphate, demonstrating that strong family values underpin governance and societal stability.

He warned that corruption, illicit wealth, and negative influences from technology and social media are eroding family discipline and exposing children to online dangers, undermining moral upbringing.

To address these challenges, the Sultan called for stronger marriage advisory councils, a review of basic education curricula to promote values, effective drug control, and regulation of harmful digital content. He also urged the government to ensure no child is left out of school and to properly fund institutions addressing out-of-school children.

In his own submissions, Bishop Kukah highlighted that the family is the foundation of any society, noting that the socialization and formation of values in children begins at home. “Many parents, due to several factors, are unable to raise their children to be responsible citizens,” he said, emphasizing that youth radicalization in Nigeria is often rooted in defective family upbringing.

He explained that other factors contributing to youth unrest include lack of access to formal education, disinterest in schooling, and the growing desire for quick money. He stressed that these issues make family upbringing a critical factor that cannot be ignored.

Citing Proverbs 22:6, Rev. Hayab said, “‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ This timeless wisdom underscores the vital role of family in shaping character, values, and discipline in children.”

According to him, a stable family environment fosters security, trust, and cooperation, helping children develop emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills that are essential for societal stability. Families that exemplify healthy conflict management, he added, produce individuals who cultivate tolerance, patience, and kindness regardless of origin or creed.

He further noted that strong family bonds provide social support networks that help individuals resist vices, manage trauma, and build interpersonal skills that reduce hostility and violence, ultimately contributing to national security.

Bishop Kukah also linked civic engagement and community involvement to family dynamics. “Growing up in a family that inspires participation in civic activities can help foster a sense of responsibility, leading to more engaged and secure communities,” he said.

He outlined policy implications for national security, emphasizing that stable families can prevent radicalization, strengthen community cohesion, and support mental health and well-being. He urged governments to invest in family support programs, counseling services, and community-based initiatives to foster healthier family environments.

Both speakers emphasised that achieving a peaceful and secure Nigeria begins at the family level, urging policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to prioritize the strengthening of families as the surest way to safeguard national security.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Applied Sciences at Kachia in Kaduna State.

The appointment, which was announced in a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education sector with experienced and visionary leaders.

Read Also: How economic predators ganged up against Tinubu over fuel subsidy removal, by Bamidele

Besides Bishop Kukah’s appointment, President Tinubu also named the principal officers for the university.

Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas will serve as Vice Chancellor; Sanusi Gambo Adamu as the Registrar; Ibrahim Dalhat as Bursar; and Prof. Daniel Abubakar as the Librarian.

The President also approved the appointment of Mr. Thomas Etuh (Northcentral), Chief Fabian Nwaora (Southeast), Prof. Femi Taiwo (Southwest), and Zarah Bukar (Northeast) as members of the university’s Governing Council.

“These appointments were made based on the distinguished careers, leadership experience, and commitment to educational advancement of the individuals involved,” the statement said.