Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, joined a jubilant crowd in celebrating his birthday on Sunday.
Kukah, born on August 31, 1952, celebrated his 70th birthday in the midst of friends and families at an event held in his honour on Wednesday.
The cleric could be seen joining the celebrations, dancing to Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel’s hit single, ‘Buga’.
Statesmen, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, had praised Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as a man of peace, striving for a better Nigeria.
The leaders spoke at a dinner to celebrate Kukah’s 70th birthday anniversary.
In his remarks, Goodluck Jonathan described Kukah as a priest who craved peace and oneness in Nigeria and would go to any length to ensure unity and justice.
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In another submission, Sokoto State’s Gov. Aminu Tambuwal described Kukah as a man with an undying love for the country who believes in the possibility of a new Nigeria, where justice and equity reign.
The governor, who chaired the occasion said, though Kukah’s criticism of the country’s governance had been controversial, it would push Nigeria to come out of failed political leadership.
Tambuwal was represented by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Ekiti State’s Gov. Kayode Fayemi, noted in his remarks that the bishop loves to ruffle the feathers of political leaders to steer the country away from the precipice.
According to Fayemi, no past leader has escaped Kukah’s messages, which were not based on hate or rivalry, but suggested solving lingering issues.
In his comments, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described Kukah as a great man with a great mind, who loves Nigeria overwhelmingly and never gave up on the country.
Tinubu commended the bishop for his contributions to all sectors of the Nigerian economy which had helped to reshape the nation
The APC presidential candidate urged Nigerians to emulate Kukah’s legacies of service to humanity, which is the core mandate of human existence.
Tinubu pledged to contribute to the realization of the Kukah Centre.
In another submission, Monsignor Antonio Guido-Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio of Nigeria commended Bishop Kukah for his great works and enjoined him to remain a good priest and servant of God.
The Archbishop of Abuja Dioceses, Ignatius Kaigama, who spoke on behalf of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, said the Conference is proud of Bishop Kukah.
Kaigama said Kukah is a mentor, leader, and an asset to the Church and to the nation.
Responding, Kukah thanked God for bringing him this far and promised unending support for the growth of the Church and the country.
He observed that no problem was new under the sun and that Nigeria only needed to equip the people to subdue its challenges.
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