Most Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Hassan Kukah: Nigeria’s preeminent advocate of virile nationhood
By Neta Nwosu
Most Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Hassan Kukah is frequently referred to as the “Conscience of the Nation” because of his steadfastness in his message of peace, reconciliation, equity and fairness and for his constant constructive criticisms of the mistakes of the country’s leadership.
Also, his enduring figure in the endless quest for peace in Nigeria sometimes casts him as the “lone voice in the wilderness” who speaks truth to power.
Hence, if there is anyone who can bring the required intellect and gravitas to The Catholic Herald Centenary Lecture themed “The Nigerian State: Transcending Challenges; Attaining True Nationhood,” it has to be Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.
The essence of the lecture is to examine the pitfalls in the quest to forge nationhood and to recommend the way forward to attain a cohesive nation. These are essentially what Bishop Kukah has been preaching for over two decades. The motifs of justice, democracy, and human development as a recipe for nationhood are recurring decimals in his speeches, sermons and epistles.
He brings philosophical grit, insights and intellect to his treatise in a way that inspires his readers and listeners and imbues them with conviction to go and build a better society.
Bishop Kukah, born on August 31, 1952, in Anchuna, Ikulu Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was educated at St. Fidelis Primary School, Zagom, St. Joseph Minor Seminary, Zaria, and St. Augustine Major Seminary Jos, Plateau State, where he studied Philosophy and Theology.
Ordained a priest in Kaduna on December 19, 1976, at the age of 24, he continued his scholarship, earning a diploma in religious studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, a Bachelor of Divinity from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome (1976), a Master’s in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, UK (1982), and a PhD in Political Science from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1993). Being a senior Rhodes Fellow at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford (2001-2003) and an Edward Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government (Public Policy), Harvard University (2003-2004), speaks further of his scholarly disposition.
Bishop Kukah’s scholarship extends from pulpit to book. He is the author of such seminal publications as Democracy and Civil Society in Nigeria (2001), Religious Militancy and Self-Assertion: Islam and Politics in Nigeria (1997), Religion, Politics and Power in Northern Nigeria (1993), and most recently, Broken Truth: Nigeria’s Elusive Quest for National Cohesion (2022).
An outspoken priest and political scientist, he is a tireless advocate of truth and a man who walks his talk by making himself available for the noble tasks of reengineering a better Nigeria. In this wise, he has served his country in various assignments, including as a member of the Nigerian Investigation Commission of Human Rights Violations (1999-2001), secretary of the National Political Reform Conference (2005), chairman of the Ogoni-Shell Reconciliation (2005-present) and member of the Electoral Reform Committee (2007-2009).
He has been Nigeria’s best-known champion of interfaith harmony and an advocate of respectful Christian-Muslim relations. In this regard, he has been Chairman, Committee on Inter-religious Dialogue, Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Nigeria (2012-present);
Chairman, Committee on Inter-religious Dialogue, Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa, RECOWA (2012-present); and member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (2012-present), appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.
That does not mean he abandoned the duties of his vocation. His trajectory, from his ordination as a priest at 24 to bishop at 59, speaks of diligence and hard work. His apostolic duties in the intervening years include as Associate Parish Priest, Kaduna (1977-1978), Cardinal’s Special Assistant, Abuja Catholic Church (1982-1986), Deputy Secretary General, Catholic Bishops Conference (1990-1993), Secretary General, Catholic Bishops Conference (1994-2000) and Vicar-General, Archdiocese of Kaduna (2004-2011).
He also has a busy record of activities in academics, including as lecturer and Dean of Students, St. Augustine’s Seminary (1978-1979); Rector of the Junior Seminary, Zaria (1981-1982); Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; and Deputy Chairman, BOT, American University, Yola.
With a gilt-edged education in philosophy, theology, peace and politics, Bishop Kukah couldn’t help but feel obliged to use his wisdom, knowledge and understanding in his contributions towards a better society.
Many wrongly misconstrued his personality: Most Rev. Kukah is not so much a firebrand priest as he’s a patriotic Nigerian with great love for his country, a priest who is committed to the Catholic values of humanity, Church and nationhood.
He has maintained a keen sense of duty in his contributions to steering the nation to the path of statehood built on truth, equity and fairness.
Whereas many see him as a critic of government, many people in government appreciate his outspokenness, regarding his critique as a compass to navigate their way out of the rut of politics to a noble end, which is good governance and peace in society.
There is no blunting the fact that Bishop Kukah is a prominent critic of government policies. His concerns are on perceived failures of administrations, especially in addressing issues such as corruption, insecurity, nepotism and economic hardship.
His observations are made in good faith. Just as he called for greater accountability and justice during the tenure of former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, he has also tasked the present administration of President Bola Tinubu in his recent assessment of the state of the nation, where he said: “Nigerians are in various levels of pain and they are pains that are unintended. But they are the results of certain policy decisions that hopefully, with time, can be amended in order to serve the welfare of the people.”
The Bishop of Sokoto, who maintained that “the essence of government is to guarantee the welfare and security of ordinary citizens,” also pointed out the silver linings in the dark cloud.
“I believe that the times that we are in now are very difficult times and nobody should be under any illusion. But they are also times for renewal,” he said.
By and large, Bishop Kukah’s yearnings to see Nigeria attain true nationhood where there would be no division of any sort, be it religion, ethnicity or politics, led him to establish the Kukah Centre (TKC) in 2012.
For the past 12 years, the nonprofit policy research institute has been vigorous in its pursuit of the ideals of active citizen participation in governance, interfaith cooperation, and national development.
– Lady Neta Nwosu is an integrated marketing communications expert and Editor, The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper.