Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His eminence, Mathew Hassan Kukah has stated that lack of public awareness and commitment on the side of all stakeholders involved in the control and management of the country are the causes of Boko Haram insurgency in the north east of Nigeria.
He also expressed his belief that Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria will come to an end with time, noting that the insurgency is a lesson from God to test our faith.
Kukah who is the founder of The Kukah Center, a non governmental organization based in Abuja stated this on Saturday in Maiduguri during a 3-day workshop in deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration in the post Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.
He further called on the people to continue to pray for the end of the insurgency and peace to return to the region.
Bishop Kukah commended community, religious and ethnic group leaders in the state and region for preaching the gospel of peace, unity and hope to their people.
The erudite cleric thanked the management of the University of Maiduguri for leaving the doors of the institution open for the students’ academic activities in spite of all the threats and attacks from the Boko Haram insurgents.
Kukah said that the only solution to Boko Haram is education which informed the acclaimed firmness of the management of the university for refusing to close the school despite all threats and attacks to fight back.
“I must commend the university for leaving its doors open for more young people to be educated which is the antidote of Boko Haram. I once heard the Governor of Borno State Kashim Shettima saying that if Boko Haram is against education, the only solution to them is education which is why inspite of all odds your institution is still open.”
Kukah noted that it was not in the interest of Nigeria for anybody to support Boko Haram insurgency, urging people to learn from history and ask the Germans how they survived after the war.
“I believe in the power of the supremacy of God and it is important for Nigerians to understand that we are still understanding the blessings of God because some people have seen conflicts for up to fifty years and are wishing they never embarked on it.”
He described the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria as a tragedy which is happening as a result of lack of awareness and collective commitment.