AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (ACN) VISITS SOKOTO DIOCESE.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has been actively supporting the Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria, addressing the challenges faced by the Christian minority in the predominantly Muslim northern region. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who has led the diocese since 2011, has collaborated closely with ACN to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians and to seek support for their plight.
ACN’s support has been instrumental in aiding the Diocese of Sokoto. The organization has funded the rebuilding of churches and provided assistance to Christian communities affected by violence. Bishop Kukah has expressed gratitude for ACN’s efforts, acknowledging that their work has been pivotal in sustaining the faith and resilience of persecuted Christians in the region. 
Despite the challenges, Bishop Kukah remains hopeful about achieving peace and coexistence between Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria. He advocates for education as a means to foster dialogue, tolerance, and understanding, believing that collaborative efforts, supported by organizations like ACN, can pave the way for a more harmonious future. 
In their recent visit, 21/02/2025 - 24/02/2025. During the mass at the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, which was presided over by Most. Revd. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, in his appreciation to them, he made the following comment, “some people are in need of food, some are in need of church. He quoted Kinga’s comment when she said, over their in Europe, they have the church, they have the food, but their churches are empty. Here in Nigeria, said the Bishop, we have the people, but we don’t have the money to build the church. He went further, the most beautiful thing about this ACN and which the gospel of Christ is all about is that, they are collecting money from they don’t know and money is going to places they do not know. And they function by soliciting support and supplies from Both the rich and the poor within Europe. All this little contribution, they can gather, they support churches in need and approve projects.
Bishop Kukah urged that, we too in Nigeria should be a bit serious and also embark on this venture of the church in need, by rendering support and supplies to churches, to places like Cameroon, Sierra Leone and to other countries that are not as wealthy as we are.
The Bishop thanked them for their immerse support and Sacrifice. One of the project He was glad about, was the building of a pilgrimage center at Malumfashi, Katsina in Katsina Diocese, sponsored by ACN, in response to all the attacks and martyrdom that the church in the north is facing. Martyrdom gives us oxygen He said and that is the reason the faith is still alive and breathing. So an Adoration Center was erected there in honor of Bro. Michael Nnadi and Fr. Alphonsus Yashim Bello, who were kidnapped and gruesomely murdered by kidnappers.
The ACN visited and had many interactions and interviews with Priests, Religious, Catechists, CYON, Teachers of Catechism, School of the faith, Etc. There was visits to sites and places within the diocese were under construction. Parishes, schools etc.
- Holy Family Schools Sokoto
- St. Theresa Nursery school Sokoto
- St. Dominic Schools Brinin Kebbi
- Church of Transfiguration, Badariya, Kebbi state.
- Catholic Church at Mopol Barracks Kebbi state.
- The NACC Family House Kebbi
- St. Dominic Catholic Church Kebbi
- St Theresa Catholic Church Tamaje, Sokoto.
In summary, Aid to the Church in Need’s engagement with the Diocese of Sokoto exemplifies a committed partnership aimed at supporting persecuted Christians, rebuilding communities, and promoting peace in a region fraught with religious tensions.
