Catholic cleric, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has tasked the government at all levels to take effective communication with Nigerians on the state of their country more seriously, noting that “Nigerians are in a very difficult situation.”
Bishop Kukah spoke to journalists, Wednesday, at the State House, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in his office, noting however that it would be hasty to conclude an assessment of a new administration in just a year of its life.
Kukah, who said he visited the State House with the Director of the Kukah Centre, Fr Atta Barkindo, to discuss an upcoming event with President Tinubu, further said that Nigerians also have to come to terms with the fact that building a good society does not happen in a hurry.
Despite the challenges, Bishop Kukah remains optimistic about Nigeria’s future, emphasising the importance of building a good society over time.
He encouraged the government to continue working on initiatives that are showing promise and to prioritize national cohesion, urging the government to improve communication to give Nigerians a sense of hope and direction.
“I’m sure many people will tell you that one year is not enough to make a judgment. However, from where we all stand, we know that we are all in a very difficult situation.
“Nigerians are in various levels of pain and they are pains that are unintended. But they are the results of certain policy decisions that hopefully, with time, can be amended to serve the welfare of the people.
“Because I believe that the essence of government is to guarantee the welfare and security of ordinary citizens. I believe that the times that we are in now are very difficult times and nobody should be under any illusion. But there are also times for renewal.
“We just need to commit ourselves to the fact that building a good society takes a lot of time. It’s not something that is done in one lifetime and for me, the most important thing is to continue on the building blocks of the things that we think are being done well.
“My argument has always been that the government needs to very quickly improve the quality of communication so that Nigerians can at least get a sense of how long is it going to be before food is ready”, he said.
Asked to share his thoughts about the political crisis in Rivers State, Kukah refrained from commenting, saying that politicians can resolve their issues.
“Well, I don’t live in Rivers State. Look, this is politics and very often, we ordinary people cry more than the bereaved. The important thing is politicians will fix their problems.
“Rivers State is a place that is very dear to me because I have been associated with them for a very long period of time.
“But look, when politicians fight, don’t get carried away because they have their capacity to fix their quarrel and I hope and pray that Rivers State will sooner rather than later reposition because it is not an insignificant part of Nigeria,” he said.