Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah on his 73rd birthday, describing him as a cleric who balances spiritual and intellectual pursuits with practical guidance on democracy and good governance worldwide.
President Tinubu said he joined the Catholic community and the Body of Christ in celebrating Kukah, “whose compassion for the poor and underprivileged continues to influence people-centred development policies in Nigeria and Africa.”
The President, in a congratulatory message issued by his spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, remarked on Bishop Kukah’s role in the struggle for the return of democracy in Nigeria.
The Nigerian leader commended Bishop Kukah for his unwavering support for peace and harmony, describing his insights as both profound and impactful.
“Bishop Kukah served as a member of Nigeria’s Truth Commission, Secretary of the Political Reform Conference, member of Nigeria’s Electoral Reform Committee, and worked assiduously to promote harmonious relationships between Christians and Muslims as Chairman of Nigeria’s Inter-religious Dialogue.”
Bishop Kukah, who heads the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, also serves as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.