"Nigerians Are Dying for a Living": Bishop Kukah's Urgent Plea on Security, Faith, Neglect at Vatican



-By Ruben Mario Brodrick

 Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto and founder of The Kukah Centre, delivered a stark and moving address at the Vatican during the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom.

 Held at the Augustinianum Hall, his remarks were titled "A Plea and Testimony from Nigeria."The Deepening Crisis and a Call for Moral Courage:In his speech, Bishop Kukah painted a grim picture of Nigeria's rapidly worsening security crisis, highlighting the complexity where terrorism, religious persecution, and criminal violence are increasingly indistinguishable. 

He issued a sobering, powerful statement: "Nigerians are dying for a living," stressing that years of national neglect have created an urgent need for moral courage and a complete national renewal. Upholding Rights and Caution on Sanctions:The Bishop acknowledged Nigeria's long-standing tradition of interfaith coexistence, citing personal experiences of solidarity with Muslim leaders in Sokoto. However, he issued a direct challenge to government institutions, calling upon the state to immediately end impunity, protect all citizens, and uphold constitutional rights. 

Crucially, Bishop Kukah cautioned international partners against re-designating Nigeria as a "Country of Concern." He argued that such action risks undermining ongoing dialogue and reconciliation efforts on the ground. Instead, he strongly urged global partners to support local initiatives that actively foster peace and inclusion.A Global Context and a Window of OpportunityThe event, which marked 25 years of ACN’s advocacy for religious freedom, featured other global Church leaders, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Cardinal presented the report’s alarming findings, which reveal that over 5.4 billion people worldwide live in countries without full religious freedom. 

Bishop Kukah concluded his address with a message of tenacious hope and opportunity: "Despite our challenges, Nigeria still has a window of opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen unity, and show the world that faith can heal rather than divide."

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