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Address unemployment, extremism to end insecurity – Kukah
The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has said Nigeria’s protracted insecurity cannot be resolved without addressing unemployment and violent religious extremism, which he described as breeding grounds for violence.
Delivering his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese, Kukah lamented the nation’s lack of measurable progress, which he attributed to a preference for “darkness rather than light.”
“Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light,” he said. “Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.”
The cleric stressed that meaningful change requires embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in both public and private life. He urged Nigerians to embody the Christian hymn “They will know we are Christians by our love” and to reject the divisive forces of ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.
“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilisation and cohesion,” he said.
Kukah identified unemployment and religious extremism as major drivers of insecurity, adding that tackling these issues is essential for stability.
“Insecurity cannot be overcome without addressing unemployment and violent religious extremism, which breed conditions for violence,” he said. He further called for the strict enforcement of laws to prosecute extremists, describing them as “criminals and murderers.”
The Bishop commended the passage of the Not Too Young to Run Bill and the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024, noting their potential to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
“It is significant that the act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favouritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah stated.
He urged the youth to seize these opportunities but noted ongoing barriers such as high political participation costs and weak internal democracy.
Speaking on the recent tragedies in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja, where stampedes during food distributions led to loss of lives, Kukah described these incidents as “metaphors for the desperation Nigerians face daily.”
“These tragedies were avoidable. The government must collaborate more effectively with institutions that promote the common good to prevent such loss of life,” he said.
Kukah praised the Catholic Church’s efforts to support vulnerable communities through organisations like St. Vincent de Paul and called on the government to do more in safeguarding citizens’ dignity.
Bishop Kukah also encouraged Christians to stay committed to their faith and moral responsibilities, regardless of the nation’s systemic failures.
“We are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. We must not allow the weaknesses and failures of the Nigerian state to become an excuse for doing wrong,” he said.
He urged Christians to prioritise divine law over human systems, noting, “The Constitution has its flaws, but the Word of God is a divine command, inerrant, and written in the hearts of good Christians.”
As the nation continues to grapple with insecurity, poverty, and corruption, Kukah called on all Nigerians to choose the path of unity, love, and accountability for a brighter future.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us open our hearts and commit to living the ideals Jesus taught us. May this season bring joy, and the new year bring blessings,” Kukah said.
The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.
The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.
Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.
In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.
According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.
The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.
“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.
“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.
“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.
It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
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‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.
He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.
Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.
The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.
“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.
“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.
The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has described Pope Francis as a Moral Compass in a Troubled world who had a deep concern for the Poor.
In a condolence message to the Universal Church, the Bishops, Priests, religious and faithful, Obi said the 88-year-old Pontiff left a lasting legacy in his reformative tenure.
Writing on his X handle on Monday, the LP standards bearer said, ‘I received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. His death marks the end of another era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the wider world.
“Throughout his life and pontificate – during which I had the privilege of meeting him on three occasions – Pope Francis embodied the virtues of faith, hope, and compassion. He led with humility, spoke with wisdom, and acted with moral courage. He constantly strove to draw humanity closer to the ideals of peace, justice, and love. His deep concern for the poor, his steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations.
“As a member of the Scholas Occurrences Foundation, founded by Pope Francis, I deeply appreciate his belief in education, dialogue, and youth empowerment as vital instruments for building a more just and compassionate world.
“Pope Francis devoted his life to the service of God and humanity. His legacy will live on not only in the hearts of the faithful but also in the global conscience he helped shape with grace, clarity, and conviction. In an age marked by division and uncertainty, his voice remained a steady call to unity, mercy, and justice.
“On behalf of myself, my family and millions of Nigerians who found inspiration in his teachings and example, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the universal Church. May God, in His infinite mercy, grant eternal rest to his gentle soul and guide the Church he so lovingly shepherded.
Tinubu not your equal – Presidency replies Peter Obi’s ex-running mate, Datti
‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu
Obi mourns says Pope Francis was truly an advocate of the poor
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