Sultan, Kukah Urge Nigerians To Unite For Good Governance, Shun Religious Extremism

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Sultan, Kukah Urge Nigerians To Unite For Good Governance, Shun Religious Extremism

In a powerful convergence of voices for national unity and responsible leadership, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, have jointly called on Nigerians to rise above religious and ethnic divisions in pursuit of good governance and societal progress.

Their appeal was made during the commissioning of the St. Bakhita ICT/CBT Center in Sokoto, a project spearheaded by legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, which drew dignitaries from across Nigeria’s political, religious, and cultural spectrum.

Bishop Kukah, known for his outspoken advocacy for justice and equity, emphasized the transformative power of education and technology. He described the new ICT center as a strategic intervention to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and a symbol of selfless service to humanity. 

Kukah urged Nigerians to embrace education as a unifying force, declaring that the nation’s strength lies in its diversity, which can be harnessed for collective progress through knowledge and understanding.

Echoing Kukah’s sentiments, the Sultan of Sokoto reiterated his longstanding position against religious extremism and insecurity. He condemned banditry and terrorism, asserting that such acts have no religious or ethnic justification.

The Sultan stressed that God’s design in bringing Nigerians together must be respected, and that peace, harmony, and the pursuit of knowledge are essential to national development. He further clarified the concept of Jihad, stating that it is not about violence but about striving for personal and societal betterment.

According to him, Islam promotes justice, accountability, and responsible leadership, values that align with democratic principles and good governance.

The event also featured a sobering address by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who warned of the looming crisis posed by Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. He highlighted the alarming figure of over 25 million out-of-school children and predicted that without urgent reforms in education and governance, the country could face a security challenge worse than Boko Haram by 2050. Obasanjo’s remarks underscored the urgency of investing in education, food security, and youth empowerment to avert future catastrophe.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State, represented by his Chief of Staff, pledged to replicate the ICT initiative across the state’s senatorial districts. He commended the visionaries behind the project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education and technological advancement as pillars of peace and prosperity.

The gathering, which included former presidents, military leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps, served as a testament to the unifying power of education and interfaith dialogue.

Both the Sultan and Bishop Kukah used the occasion to challenge Nigerians to reject extremism, embrace mutual respect, and work together to build a nation anchored on justice, knowledge, and inclusive governance.