The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conjunction with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized the signing of the Peace Accord by the Gubernotorial candidates in Sokoto state.
There is something outstanding about the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah. His education spans across many disciplines, notable among them leadership and politics in Nigeria. This possibly propels him to continue to work for peace and conflict resolution despite the murky waters of Nigerian politics.
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, has released statement explaining his role in the October 11 meeting at Abeokuta were he among other clerics brokered peace between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
His words: “No President in the world has the kind of power the Nigerian president has and as such, no President in the world can be as irresponsible as the Nigerian President. His power is so much that he can give oil bloc to his girlfriend and many others. You thus can’t be a man of honour and live in a country like Nigeria and not be angry."There is a very high tendency for any Nigerian President to be irresponsible due to the extent of power he wields, Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, has said.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah has paid a solidarity visit to the Internally Displaced Persons in Gandi, Rabat Local Government Area of Sokoto State. He was there to sympathise with the remaining 4,900 displaced persons who survived the attack by bandits during which not less than 76 persons lost their lives.
Bishop Kukah was accompanied on the visit by some members of the Catholic Community from Sokoto as well as the Zonal and Sector Commanders of the FRSC.
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, under the stewardship of Most Rev. Dr. Matthew H. Kukah, donated relief materials to the displaced persons in Jibia, Katsina State.
The delegation led by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Emehel (JDPC Director) & Very Rev. Fr. Eugene Nwachukwu (Dean, Katsina Deanery).
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) received the materials on behalf of Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State at the camp premises which had about 1,500 displaced persons.
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto collaborated with Christian Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria, Sokoto Chapter and the Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital Chapter – to host a three day free medical outreach in Sokoto Metro.
Commencing on July 4th, the surgical screening exercise took place at Holy Family Clinic and Maternity, Sokoto.
During the flag-off of the outreach, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Matthew H Kukah encouraged everyone to take advantage of the Outreach because it’s a great privilege for the people of Sokoto.
The Igbo socio-cultural group (Ohaneze Ndigbo) paid a courtesy visit to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto in his office- St. Bakhita Catholic Secretariat today.
Chief Dr. John Nnia Nwodo, the President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo said that the visit was to express their resolve for Peace and unity in Nigeria.
The Igbo socio-cultural group who went in numbers expressed their belief in the unity of the country.
The President of the group appreciated the effort of the Bishop in maintaining peace and unity of the Country.
Former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), yesterday warned Nigerians against acts that are capable of sparking another civil war in the country, saying they must eschew all forms of violence, criminal activities and behaviours that tend to divide the country.
