The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, this afternoon insisted on his earlier demand for amnesty for members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect that has made parts of northern Nigeria virtually ungovernable through unrelenting violence.

“I speak for myself as a Christian,” said the fiery cleric while delivering the 60^th Birthday Lecture of Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Benin City.

Kukah, whose position on the issue has drawn the ire of a section of Christendom, emphasized that Christianity is about compassion and forgives.

He however clarified that what he is advocating is not for the Nigerian Government to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram rebels but to make the offer.

“I am not talking of granting amnesty to Boko Haram but of offering amnesty to them. These are two different things,” he stated.

The lecture, which was still ongoing as at the time of this report, had the full house of dignitaries nodding or applauding or laughing as Kukah, who possesses oratorical skills, masterfully spoke extempore.

The dignitaries included several state governors and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

News Express reports that the Nigerian Government has yet to heed to the amnesty calls being championed by northern and Islamic leaders.

Boko Haram, has killed over 3,000 people since 2009, with the government having failed to put a stop to the carnage despite having spent many millions of naira in a military campaign against the sect.

•Photo shows Father Kukah.