Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Kukah on Wednesday said the government’s inability to respond swiftly to hunger in the land led to deadly stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja.
Kukah stated this in his Christmas message to the country.
The cleric also spoke on the issues discouraging Nigerian youth from participating actively in politics, saying the costs of running for public office was the major obstacle for youth participation in politics.
He said, “In 2018, the passage of the Not Too Young to Run Bill was widely greeted by young people who believed that the doors had now opened for their active engagement in politics. After a few elections, many young people have been elected at various levels. This is commendable.
“However, problems of internal democracy, the costs of running for public office, still remain major obstacles for youth participation in politics.”
The bishop, however, commended the federal government for the educational loan schemes, advising that the act should not limit access only to university students but to those also seeking vocational or technical skills.
He further advised that the scheme should be free of the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks and favouritism so as to expand the scope of opportunities for our youth and their parents.
“Hopefully, in future, poverty should not exclude anyone from a good education. We encourage the youth to seize this opportunity with both hands,” he said.
Despite acknowledging some progress made in the fight against insecurity in the country, Kukah recommended a comprehensive work plan to secure the nation.
“Insecurity is the first child of corruption. We cannot win the war against insecurity without addressing the issues of unemployment and violent religious extremism which create the conditions for violence,” he added.
On the recent stampedes in some parts of the country, he said: “The tragedies that occurred in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja where innocent people lost their lives in stampedes at food distribution points are a metaphor for the situation of desperation that citizens have been thrown into.
“The failures of government to respond concretely toward ending the horrible crisis of hunger and desperation has created the conditions for these avoidable tragedies.
“Citizens are lapsing into despair. The Catholic Church is not new to providing succour for the needy and vulnerable. Under the auspices of St. Vincent de Paul, the Church continues to provide succour to the poor across the wider society. These tragedies were avoidable.
“Government needs to work more closely with institutions that help to promote the common good of our society. May God grant eternal rest to the dead and console their families. It is the duty of government to ensure minimum dignity for our people.”
