Speaking at the funeral mass of Seminarian Michael Nnadi at Good Shepherd Seminary, Kaduna, Bishop Kukah reminded the congregation, “We have gathered around the remains of Michael in supplication but also as solemn witnesses to the penetrating darkness that hovers over our country.”
According to Dailypost,Bishop Kukah explained, “Today, our years of hypocrisy, duplicity, fabricated integrity, false piety, empty morality, fraud and Pharisaism have caught up with us. Nigeria is on the crossroads and its future hangs precariously in a balance.”
He said, “The immediate family of Michael and the Church lived through the torments of the brutal, harsh and senseless haranguing of the kidnappers who are totally empty of any show of human emotions.
“This is a solemn moment for the body of Christ. This is for us the moment of decision. This is the moment that separates darkness from light, good from evil.”
He noted with concern, “Nigeria is on the crossroads and its future hangs precariously in a balance. It is time to confront and dispel the clouds of evil that hover over us.”
Bishop recalled that Buhari was voted for in 2015 on the grounds of his own promises to rout Boko Haram.
“In an address at the prestigious Policy Think Tank, Chatham House in London, just before the elections, Buhari told his audience: ‘I as a retired General and a former Head of State have always known about our soldiers. They are capable and they are well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty.
‘If am elected President, the world will have no reason to worry about Nigeria. Nigeria will return to its stabilizing role in West Africa. We will pay sufficient attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service. We will develop adequate and modern arms and ammunition.
‘We will improve intelligence gathering and border patrols to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels. We will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development and promoting infrastructural development…we will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester. And I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front.'”
Bishop Kukah admitted, “There is no need to make any further comments on this claim. No one in that hall or anywhere in Nigeria doubted the President who ran his campaign on a tank supposedly full of the fuel of integrity and moral probity.
“No one could have imagined that in winning the Presidency, General Buhari would bring nepotism and clannishness into the military and the ancillary Security Agencies, that his government would be marked by supremacist and divisive policies that would push our country to the brink.
“This President has displayed the greatest degree of insensitivity in managing our country’s rich diversity. He has subordinated the larger interests of the country to the hegemonic interests of his co-religionists and clansmen and women. The impression created now is that, to hold a key and strategic position in Nigeria today, it is more important to be a northern Muslim than a Nigerian.”
Regretably, he said, “Today, in Nigeria, the noble religion of Islam has convulsed. It has become associated with some of worst fears among our people. Muslim scholars, traditional rulers and intellectuals have continued to cry out helplessly, asking for their religion and region to be freed from this chokehold.
“This is because, in all of this, neither Islam nor the north can identify any real benefits from these years that have been consumed by the locusts that this government has unleashed on our country. The Fulani, his innocent kinsmen, have become the subject of opprobrium, ridicule, defamation, calumny and obloquy. His north has become one large grave yard, a valley of dry bones, the nastiest and the most brutish part of our dear country.
“Why have the gods rejected this offering? Despite running the most nepotistic and narcissistic government in known history, there are no answers to the millions of young children on the streets in northern Nigeria, the north still has the worst indices of poverty, insecurity, stunting, squalor and destitution.”
He recalled that His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Emir of Kano are the two most powerful traditional and moral leaders in Islam today.
“None of them is happy and they have said so loud and clear. The Sultan recently lamented the tragic consequences of power being in the wrong hands. Every day, Muslim clerics are posting tales of lamentation about their fate. Now, the Northern Elders, who in 2015 believed that General Buhari had come to redeem the north have now turned against the President,” he added.
On the persecution of Christians in the north, Bishop Kukah explained, “The persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria is as old as the modern Nigerian state. Their experiences and fears of northern, Islamic domination are documented in the Willinks Commission Report way back in 1956.
“It was also the reason they formed a political platform called, the Non-Muslim League. All of us must confess in all honesty that in the years that have passed, the northern Muslim elite has not developed a moral basis for adequate power sharing with their Christian co-regionalists.
“We deny at our own expense. By denying Christians lands for places of worship across most of the northern states, ignoring the systematic destruction of churches all these years, denying Christians adequate recruitment, representation and promotions in the State civil services, denying their indigenous children scholarships, marrying Christian women or converting Christians while threatening Muslim women and prospective converts with death, they make building a harmonious community impossible.
“Nation building cannot happen without adequate representation and a deliberate effort at creating for all members a sense, a feeling, of belonging, and freedom to make their contributions. This is the window that the killers of Boko Haram have exploited and turned into a door to death. It is why killing Christians and destroying Christianity is seen as one of their key missions.”
I just read this. I'm sad.
ReplyDeleteMay God prolong your life in good health Bishop Kukah. You're truly the mouth piece of the Masses in this wicked era against Christians. Let all the Christians bodies all over the country begin to speak out against this evil happening in our land. Enough of keeping mute for peace to reign. This administration only understand violent and we must violently push them out of office.
DeleteGod bless your Lordship once again sir. I'm truly glad I returned to my root Catholic church.
That is it. Well spoken sir. Maybe when their immediate family members start falling victims, then, they will start taking action.
ReplyDeleteBishop Kukah, your type aren't many in Nigeria. You are truly a messenger of the gospel. Keep saying it, for there are so lot of clergymen hiding under their wife's wrapper.
ReplyDeleteMust you be derogatory to women to make your point?, dont men have a mind of their own?, people like you are part of Nigeria’s problem.
DeleteHow is he part of Nigerias problem. He did not mean wrapper literarily. "hiding under wife's wrapper" is just an idiomatic expression. You're filled with so much bitterness... TOO EARLY
DeleteAnon 09:40, thanks so much. You save me the stress of replying.
DeleteBuhari's government has put a knife into that which binds us together,things fall apart,the centre cannot hold.I cannot believe I ever believed in this Ajala the traveller who is always shocked at his own incompetency. Milton's second coming said it all but we chose not to believe.Those in the abroad,you all are the lucky few,I can't wait to read about Nigeria from the abroad.Rip Seminarian Michael,sorry that our country failed you,that the clueless government cannot even protect her citizens when they go to sleep,that people can now go to people's homes and kidnap them while they slept,continue to rest in peace Michael.I pray for the body of Christ in this trying period,the gates of hell will never prevail
ReplyDeleteSpongebob where have you been..Good morning
DeleteGood comment.... but it is *abroad* or *overseas* not "in the abroad."
DeleteCarry your correction pen out of my comment.I choose to write it like that madam Longman dictionary.
DeletePhoenix,I have been under the sea,Good morning
Anon, you must be new here. "In the abroad" is an sdk slang we use here.
DeleteBikini bottom
DeleteSpongebob Squarepants you can be rude all you like but at least you took note...with that 'correction pen.
DeleteI have to agree with you on this one Sir
ReplyDeleteEl-Rufai, Lie Mhd , Femi Adesina & Lauretta Onochie are typing in defense of their despotic, non democratic, “right wing(ed) “ tyrant of a master. We surely desire a Jerry Rawlings in ds country at d moment. Tnx for always lending ur unapologetic voice ,Bishop Kuka.
ReplyDeleteI am telling you we need Jerry Rawlings Edaku
DeleteGod pls send us Jerry Rawlings
DeletePrayers up for that young seminarian's family. Such loss.
ReplyDeleteWell said Sir
ReplyDeleteOnly the brave speak the truth even in the face of threat to life.
ReplyDeleteThis is how a true man of God speaks.
ReplyDeleteI saw somewhere, the Nigeria Soldiers lamenting on the issue of releasing bokoharam members and rehabilitating after they must have suffered to capture them. Stella please bring the news here.
ReplyDeletethey did not just release them, some have joined the army. How can Nigeria be fighting boko haram for how many years now without suppressing them? The international community have indicated their desire to wash their hands off this fight because the people in the fore front do not want the fight to stop for reasons best known to them.My heart bleeds for our military men and women, they are almost helpless. they can't leave for fear of being declared MIA or being court marshaled.
Delete..... and Jimmy Disu was on the radio saying nonsense against this man. Is this country really worth dieing for?
ReplyDeleteHe is still talking nosense presently.
DeleteOh you listen to him too..That man dey fall my hand recently..
DeleteHonestly, I was very pissed at the fool. The bishop said nothing but the truth.
DeleteMore grace His Lordship.
ReplyDeleteRIP Micheal...we will triumph over this
Father Kukah has become a disgrace. They are all not benetting from politics again, causing them so much pain and disdain.
ReplyDeleteNo frequent Aso Rock visit for them men in cloaks.
They are now talking ad if they love the masses more.
Nonsense
Oga Don, listen to the message, leave the messenger.....is he making sense or not?
DeleteOga Don, listen to the message, leave the messenger.....is he making sense or not?
DeleteYou are a disgrace to your family.
DeleteDon... If you had mentioned Fr. Mbaka I wouldn't have objected. His Lordship, fr kukah has always voiced out his opinions during the days of IBB and Abacha.
DeleteDo tell me what is wrong in all he said?
Don I used to like u oh! But this comment just shows how myopic u really are.has he spoken d truth or not? And pls for your myopic kind out there going to aso rock for meetings is strictly by invitation and most presidents invite both Christian and Muslim clerics for meetings. I know cos I work there.so don stop saying what u don't know.mtcheeeeew
DeleteDon! How come you don't say anything to condemn this your father's regime.
DeleteYou see all people supporting the evil in this govt will surely share a bite in these calamities befalling the helpless masses.
You're always condemning everyone who speak against the ills in this govt. Continue with your bigotry.
So if you've been giving me food and you aren't sensitive to people's plight, I shouldn't tell you abi.
DeleteYOU'RE A DISGRACE TO YOUR GENERATION FOR SUPPORTING EVIL.
Stella pls post.
@DON. Did you read Fr. Kukah's speach, or you just jumped on the comment section to exhibit your HEARTLESSNESS.
DeleteMay Michael's and other souls departed rest in peace🙏
Don, you don't know Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah!
DeleteHe says it as it is and has been defending not just the Christian faith but also the oppressed vocally and visibly for years.
By the way your comment is bigoted and distasteful.
Don may you and your household have a share of the evil going on in this administration. All the people currently supporting buhari will eat the bitter pie the poor masses have been subjected to by the special grace of God.
DeleteMeanwhile people like you Don, we didn't see your comments on the post of the student burnt to death by BH. You are really pathetic.
DeleteDon will never reply any comment. Because he is a big COWARD
DeleteMy lordship sir,may God bless u as u continue to be a good shepherd. Pls never relent in your efforts to call out bad governance, u have always been the voice of the voiceless. May the gates of hell never prevail Amen.my heart goes out to all our fallen bothers and sisters in Christ as a result of this pretentious religious government. Joy cometh in the morning.
ReplyDeleteMy lordship sir,may God bless u as u continue to be a good shepherd. Pls never relent in your efforts to call out bad governance, u have always been the voice of the voiceless. May the gates of hell never prevail Amen.my heart goes out to all our fallen bothers and sisters in Christ as a result of this pretentious religious government. Joy cometh in the morning.
ReplyDeleteBalanced Reportage.
ReplyDeleteWhen and How we got here! God please come and help and deliver us.
We cry out to you O Lord who inhabits the heavens and rule in the affairs of men to come and help us. You heard the cry of Israel when they cried to you against their oppressors, we trust you have heard - come Lord Jesus Come - Maranata over Nigeria.
God bless and keep you Rev Fr Mathew Kukah and all the men of God speaking out at the tyranny of this time.
Find rest in the bosom of your Maker and Creator Micheal. Your murderers will know no peace till they bow their kneels to the Lordship of our Lord and Christ - Amen.
He's a Bishop now dear
DeleteDon said 👆 that Fr. Kukah was condemning the lapses of this Buharis govt because he no longer receive handouts. Enhen?!
ReplyDeleteBuhari has been equipping the BH boys financially in billions of naira (in the name of paying ransoms)and technically,.
I only wish that this insecurity will affect their immediate families and only then, maybe they'll be more sensitive to the horrors in the land.
Fr Kukah did not tear anyone apart.is there security issues -the answer is Yes but for a person like Bishop Kukah to always be talking and as a leader not profering solutions or suggestion (not on TV but where it matters most)will never take us anywhere First let me state hear i am a born,raised and a practicing Catholic Bishop Kukah is not and have never helped this country. It is always very easy to talk action is a whole different game,he said if he is there he will do this and that all is just talk when you lead people their is always opposite view am sure in Sokoto diocese not eveyone likes his leadership style but what we are thought as Catholics is always pray for your leaders. In one other forum i was disgusted how Bishop Kukah was using the word hate on a human being this is a so called Bishop we are talking about. Politics is over we all know Atiku was his candidate to the extent he took Atiku to OBJ to beg when the pictures came out the same Bishop Kukah said he was set up please how? Leaders in Nigeria political,traditional and religious leaders should always act as leaders Bishop Kukah like we know him always plays to the gallery and it is unfortunate he has not grown out of this
ReplyDeleteThe problem in Nigeria and religious leaders are fueling this narrative that is Islam vs Christianity it is not and the so called terrorist now want it to look like this and the disappointing part is Educated Nigerians are falling into this trap with so called religious leaders like Bishop Kukah fueling it
ReplyDeleteBishop Kukah is talking about how sultan and emir of kano are crying for his religion back is it Buhari who caused that Sultan of Sokoto has been in his post longer than Buhari has been president so that logic do not make any sense.Infact in this his talk he sound almost like Obasanjo
ReplyDelete