By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, has commissioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Guest House in Sokoto State.
Kukah who admonished Christians in the State to note that despite owning the place, it is to serve all irrespective of religion, however added that, "all that matters is that there should be an acceptable guidelines, protocols and operational modules that conforms with sanity in place".
Admitting that the body of Christ in Nigeria is been faced with a very trying times, Bishop Kukah admonished Christians to remain steadfast in their faith irrespective of whatever persecutions, adding that "No amount of persecution will push Christianity backward, rather forward".
While decrying that religion seems to have gradually become the citizenship rather than the nationality in Nigeria, Bishop Kukah said the misuse of religion has made it a subject of interest in the polity.
"It is only in Nigeria that religion matters in politics, hence we have seen misuse of power in the name of religion"
To the Nigerian Christians, Bishop Kukah said it is inefficiency that makes things matter. "Inefficiency is another word for corruption. Nigeria is one funny country that you can do whatever you like and nothing happens. You hear people stealing billion and it ends like that".
In his advise against amassing unholy wealth, Bishop Kukah said, "the Kingdom of God is not built on material blocks, hence we must be a little restrained in the aggressiveness with which we amass material things if they are of evil roots".
Consoling Christians in Nigeria over chains of attacks in their worship places, Bishop Kukah urged them to read what Christians went through in the Roman Empire, noting that, "God will use our powerlessness to institutionalize his power".
Speaking earlier, Sokoto State CAN Chairman, Very Rev Father Nuhu Iliya, said the newly commissioned CAN guest house does not belong to any individual, rather to all Christians.
On his part, former CAN chairman of Sokoto State, Rev Ahmadu Mamman, appealed to Christians in Sokoto and all over Nigeria to be more united, chant common front and work towards having a State CAN worship center that does not belong to any denomination but to all Christians.
Amongst dignitaries who graced the occasion include, CAN coordinators from across the 23 LGAs of Sokoto State. NNL.
