The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah has stated, “Right now, 133 million Nigerians are sufferings from various levels of multidimensional poverty”, adding that Nigerians “are in a country that is malfunctioning. How to make that country work for the rich, for the poor, for the aged and everybody is a challenge.”
Hassan-Kukah revealed this at the May 29, 2023, Presidential inaugural lecture attended by the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable Africans.
The clergyman noted that he was hopeful that the future of Nigeria is promising.
His words, “In the struggle with the problems of Nigeria, I remain exceptionally optimistic. I travel the world. People say to me where do you find this courage to say that Nigeria is working. It may not be working but this is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I am not being flippant. When I went to the United States of America to study, I preached in a church. The parish priest called me and say, please listen, you speak with such eloquence. I like you. We will get you a green card. You can settle here in America. I looked at him and say, you know this God is wonderful. You are giving me a green card. My passport is actually a green passport. So, what am I doing with a green card?”
He bore his mind on the youth migrating to Europe and America, saying he has no problem with it.
“So, they young Nigerians who are leaving our country, I always say to them, I am not worried. Let them go. It is for the good of the country. The challenge for us as Africans is to think the way the Asians have thought. That is, you go to Europe or America with a purpose. That purpose means coming back to develop your country. It also means that the country must create an environment in which you can feel confident to come and present the gifts God has given you.”
