The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has decried the incessant killings in the country, regretting that the nation was gradually becoming a national morgue.
In his Easter message, Bishop Kukah also frowned at the level of hunger, sickness and desolation in the country, criticizing the palliative distribution in the country, which he said would only diminish the dignity of citizens.
“This is the most important event in the history of our faith. It is the season of the Cross, the season of Christ’s triumph over death. This triumph was marked by the blind passion of those who crucified innocence.
” I am therefore using the metaphor of the cross to draw attention to the sufferings and afflictions that have befallen our country in the last years. These sufferings have been marked by a culture of brutality and savagery never witnessed in the history of our dear country.
“Mr. President, we all admit that you neither erected this cross nor did you effect our collective crucifixion. Notwithstanding, Nigerians have been dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long.
” A culture of cynicism and self-doubt over our capacity to secure peace for ourselves pervades our land. Indeed, a majority of our citizens feel that there is no hope in sight.
“Across the entire country, every day, innocent citizens are kidnapped and held under the most inhuman conditions. A dark pall of death hangs languidly from north to south. It is impossible to find a home, a family, or a community that has not been caught in the cusp of this savagery. Now, Mr. President, Nigeria is reaching a breaking point.
“The nation is gradually becoming a huge national morgue. Mr. President, with a greater sense of urgency, hasten to bring us down from this cross of evil,” he pleaded
The Bishop further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to make food security a fundamental human right to all citizens.
“We still believe removing the subsidies was the right decision. We note that the country now has a huge volume of resources in its domestic reserves.
“But for over ten years now, farming has become one of the most hazardous pre-occupations in our country. I restate the obvious by warning that mere palliative distribution diminishes the dignity of citizens. We have remained between the rock of self-doubt and the hard place of hopelessness.
“Make food security a fundamental human right to all citizens. Mr. President, please bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he asked.
The Bishop reminded Nigerians not to lose hope, saying that, “the structural deformities, the iniquities and corruption of our country are not an excuse for us to let down our guard.
” We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill. We are equipped with the light of Christ to drive out the darkness that threatens to engulf our country. Let us collectively renew our commitment and hope for building a society after the mind of our creator.
” I wish you, Mr. President, a happy Easter. Blessings and a happy Easter to all Nigerians,” he concluded.
