KUKAH AS BISHOP OF SOKOTO

It has particularly drawn the attention of many who did not know about the existence of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese.

The excitement in Kukah's episcopacy is understandable. He is one of the few priests in this country who have positively affected their environment.

He has been a very well known name in public discourse. He has always taken interest in the knotty issues of Nigeria's nationhood. His prolific interventions and interjections constitute a body of discourses which can be used as a reference material in Nigeria's journey towards statehood. His has been a potent and authoritative voice in the nation's affairs. His spiritual elevation is therefore seen in many circles as a call to greater service to humanity at large and the clergy in particular.

But much more significant is Kukah's deployment to Sokoto, the seat of the caliphate and bastion of Islam in Nigeria. For a country like Nigeria that has constantly been in the throes of religious upheavals, the need for inter-religious dialogue that can bring about harmonious co-existence cannot be overemphasized. There is no gainsaying the fact that some of the religious crises that we faced in the past would have been avoided if there was a well-honed avenue of communication and understanding between the warring and mutually antagonistic faiths.

It is almost taken for granted that a Revered Kukah in the seat of the caliphate can play a unifying role that will promote religious harmony in the country. This optimism cannot be misplaced because Kukah was, for many years, a member of the Holy See's commission for religious relations with Muslims. He has participated in a number of inter-religions meetings.

It is also to Kukah's credit that he has a good knowledge of Islam. Based on these and other positive pedigree, it is believed that Kukah's episcopacy in the Diocese will bring about the much needed catalyst for dialogue between the Christian and Muslim faiths. If he succeeds in this regard, a remarkable progress would have been recorded in the search for peace and harmony in the country.

Indeed, Kukah's track record will go a long way in helping him to deliver on his new assignment. He is outspoken, gregarious and bold. He also has a cosmopolitan outlook. As Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Kukah enjoyed a lot of exposure. He contributed immensely to national discourse.

He and a few others like him underlined the fact that the clergy can, indeed, provide the counterpoise in a country where howlers and charlatans appear to be seizing the stage. With Kukah and other restless clergymen, religion did not fight shy. It joined issues with the secular society and both, more often than not, found a common ground.

We therefore commend the Catholic Church for finding Kukah worthy to serve. His choice underscores the fact that free speech and the boldness to take on issues do not necessarily lead to stigmatization. Kukah held his head high and his environment is better for it.

We also commend Kukah for his elevation. He should see the new assignment as a greater challenge to affect the society more positively. We urge him to remain focused so that the confidence reposed in him by the church will yield the desired results. We wish him well in his new role.

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