The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has expressed his concern over the impact of insecurity on education in Nigeria. Speaking at the Parents Summit of the 2023 Education Week in Edo State, Kukah described the terrorists behind the wave of insecurity in the country as enemies of humanity.
“As we can see, our country is now being ravaged and threatened by the forces of darkness, those who have said no to humanity and those who have said no to education, whether they manifest themselves in the murderous and destructive excesses of Boko Haram or banditry,” he said.
Kukah went on to call for a united effort to push back against these forces of darkness. “We must, as a country, fight with every drop of our blood to physically ensure that they are pushed back. Without such resistance, Nigeria has no future,” he warned.
He also expressed his dismay at the negative impact these perpetrators have had on Nigeria’s image, both domestically and abroad. “Not only have they destroyed the image of the country, they’ve destroyed the image of religion. They’ve made us victims and suspects. So, really, no distance is too much for me to cover when it comes to education,” he said.
Kukah’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a series of security challenges, including the ongoing insurgency in the northeast, as well as banditry and kidnapping in other parts of the country. The impact of these security challenges on education has been significant, with many schools forced to close or operate under difficult conditions.
The Bishop’s call for action is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who are increasingly frustrated with the government’s response to the security crisis. It remains to be seen whether his message will be heard and acted upon by those in power.
