Daud Olatunji
The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Matthew Kukah, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address at the 3rd annual national public lecture, shedding light on the challenges faced by many Nigerians who lack the means to travel abroad.
The lecture was themed, “The Nigerian Question: Survival of the Federation in the Throes of Increasing Economic Challenges.”
In his address, Bishop Kukah expressed empathy for a significant portion of the Nigerian population who, due to various challenges, find it difficult to travel outside their immediate environments, let alone explore other parts of Africa or the world.
He highlighted the importance of understanding and addressing this issue.
“Nigerians talk about other countries; I feel sorry for many Nigerians who, because of many troubles, hardly travel out of their immediate environments, not to talk about traveling to other parts of Africa or other parts of the world,” he stated.
Bishop Kukah raised questions about the direction Nigeria should take in terms of development and democracy, emphasizing the need to differentiate Nigeria from other nations.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s history and challenges are unique and that the nation must navigate its path towards progress.
“It is not as if we cannot use democracy to develop Nigeria, but there are certain fundamental things that must be on the ground before people can appreciate democracy.
Unless Nigeria settles the issue of ‘bread and butter mentality,’ the democracy can actually look like a lottery,” he explained.
Kukah also touched on the problems plaguing the nation, asserting that both the masses and those responsible for Nigeria’s challenges suffer the consequences.
He highlighted that the awareness of these problems is widespread, but it requires a collective effort from citizens and purposeful leaders to address and resolve them.
Furthermore, the Bishop called for introspection and urged Nigeria to focus on developing its internal capacities rather than looking abroad for solutions.
He emphasized the importance of nurturing the nation’s resources, addressing societal issues, and finding a unique path to development, all while acknowledging the complexities of the country’s history and challenges.
In light of these concerns, Bishop Kukah’s address underscored the urgency of fostering internal development, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and purposeful leadership to guide Nigeria toward a more prosperous future.
Meanwhile, on a global stage, Bishop Kukah also urged international figures, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former U.S. President Barack Obama, King Abdullah of Jordan, and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to intervene in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, adding another dimension to his passionate call for global cooperation.
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