Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has urged Nigerians to embrace a new moral and imaginative renewal, describing it as the foundation for national rebirth.
He made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 60th birthday celebration of veteran journalist Dr. Reuben Abati, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his address titled “Nigeria: Time to Reload,” Bishop Kukah likened Nigeria’s challenges to a marksman who must reload his weapon after missing his target, saying that despite repeated national setbacks, citizens must continue to strive for progress.
He noted that the country’s greatest challenge lies in moral decay and the loss of historical memory that once inspired patriotism, unity, and sacrifice.
The cleric reflected on Nigeria’s founding fathers, the country’s political evolution, and the collapse of shared national ideals.
He emphasized that genuine nation-building must begin in the mind, calling for renewed reverence for national history and a return to values of justice, fairness, and unity.
Bishop Kukah also questioned the strength of Nigeria’s democracy and cohesion, lamenting that the ideals of the national coat of arms—unity, faith, peace, and progress—remain largely unfulfilled. He said Nigeria’s insecurity, division, and underdevelopment stem from the failure to build trust and shared purpose among its people.
Kukah urged leaders and citizens alike to “reload” Nigeria through introspection, truth, and a commitment to national rebirth.
Kukah oncluded that while the country’s problems are deep-rooted, they can be overcome through honesty, collective responsibility, and moral leadership.
