Nigeria’s current challenges surmountable – Kukah

The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has said that every Nigerian knows the problems facing the country at the moment and it will take the people’s resolve to address them.

The cleric, however, stated that every country in the world also has its own problems and it takes the citizens and purposeful leaders to address such problems.

Kukah, while delivering a keynote address at the 3rd annual national public lecture of the First News with the theme; “The Nigerian Question: Survival of the Federation in The Throes of Increasing Economic Challenges” in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Friday, said even those who are responsible for Nigeria’s problems are not also safe.

He urged Nigerians to find their own navigational truth for proper development as done in other nations.

He said: “The good thing about Nigeria is that everybody knows what the problems are and the people who are responsible for the problems are not also safe, they too do not know peace.

“Unless Nigeria settles the issue of ‘bread and butter mentality’ the democracy can actually look like lottery,” he said.

The publisher of the First News, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the essence of the lecture was to brainstorm on Nigeria’s challenging economy and proffer possible solutions, adding that the nation’s economic problems are very glaring.

From left: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Rep. Akanni Clement; Deputy Chairman, Rep. Aliyu Abdullahi; and the Chairman of the Committee, Rep Ikenga Ikeagwuonu, during the committee’s inaugural meeting at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday

Astudent of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State, Treasure Ayuba, has regained freedom after over two years in captivity. Ayuba was among the 121 students abducted when gunmen invaded the school, located at Maraban Damishi, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on July 5, 2021.

The Rev Dr Israel Akanji, president of the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC), confirmed his release in a statement.

“Glory be to God! Treasure Ayuba, the last boy who was still with the bandits who kidnapped the 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna on July 5, 2021, has just returned home today, November 2, 2023.

“Thank you also very much for your prayers and numerous support,” he said.