The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Rt. Rev (Dr) Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that elected and public office holders in the country hardly consider long-term implications of their actions while in office.
According to the fiery Catholic Bishop, decisions made based on ethnic and other primordial considerations, in the face of secularity, are counter-insurgency, to say the least.
Bishop Kukah made the assertion in his Easter Message made available to our correspondent by the national director, social communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Umoh on Sunday in Abuja.
Lamenting the sorry state of affairs in the country, occasioned by insurgency, banditry, corruption and other crimes, the cleric enjoined Christians to remain steadfast in the Lord, assuring that the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, signifies hope and lifting.
Quoting copiously from relevant Bible passages, the revered scholar concluded that truth will certainly triumph over evil that may be dominating the scene, albeit momentarily.
Kukah’s intervention comes amidst vexed attempts by the Kwara state government to foist wearing of hijab on missionary schools, notwithstanding its far-reaching implications.
“Most politicians hardly think through the long-term effects of these pyrrhic victories of using religion.
“What started as a small fire with adoption of Sharia in Zamfara in 1999, spread across the northern states.
“Ordinary people broke into ecstatic joy. Today, what has become of the north? What are the lessons?
“In all, Nigeria’s troubles are growing by the day, but our hands must remain stretched out in supplication”, His Lordship said.
This was as he reminded that: “Prophet Isaiah’s words should give us hope and consolation. He said: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2).
“We shall lift our eyes to the mountain because we know that our help shall come from the Lord (Ps. 121:1)”.
He further noted thus: “As Christians, we do not trust in God because we cannot revenge. We do not revenge because we trust in God.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still (Ex. 14:14). Just as the chains of death could not hold Jesus in the grave, so shall we triumph.
“Break into shouts of joy together, O ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has consoled his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:9). Have hope and be cheerful (Rom. 12:12). A very happy and peaceful Easter to everyone”.
