The Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Reverend Father Matthew Kukah, on Thursday on reiterated the need for a national vision to take Nigeria from where it is to where it ought to be.
Bishop Kukah noted that “this is an extraordinary country to govern in part because we have never generated a national vision about where we are, where we ought to be going and how we can get there.”
“Every country survives on myths and mythologists but not realities. But to the extent that we have been held down by myths of ethnic identities, it will almost be impossible to build a nation,” he said
He noted that “what we require is to expand the frontiers of knowledge and to create the necessary conditions” where Nigerians will be unencumbered by anxiety and fly and find their levels.
The cleric maintained that “the fight against corruption is beyond mere verbal, moral exhortation. We are faced with a choice between David and Goliath and the choice of weapons is ours. We must choose, as the business men say, areas of our competitive advantage.
“For me as a priest, the best we can do is prayers, but I am also not fooled” because “prayer in the way and manner it is in Nigeria has become a substitute for us not doing anything”, he said
In his usual characteristic manner, he took the audience through the history of Nigeria and the challenge of having a true nation where everyone would be proud of.
He said the era where government officials use monies from national coffers for private engagement is over.
He also challenged the authorities to create a new vision that will propel the country to greatness.
Bishop Kukah was speaking during The Platform, an annual programme conveyed by the Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Mr Poju Oyemade. (Channels TV)
•Photo shows Bishop Kukah.
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