Mr. David Young of the United States Charge 'd Affairs Mission in Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to his Lordship Most Rev. Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah in his office in Sokoto.
Speaking at a round table meeting with the bishop and other representatives present, Mr. Young commended the effort and engagement with the peace committee and that the visit was necessitated for him to know the state of things here in Sokoto as he was interested in the church's engagement on behalf of peace and reconciliation.
Bishop Kukah responding to some concerns of Mr. Young, noted that though Nigerians have been extremely hopeful that given the achievement of 2015 election, there will be mass improvement in people’s confidence in the electoral process. he said" I personally thought with the two Muslims running for presidents it would be a pretty smooth sailing for I’ve thought one of the sparks plug for violence in Nigeria is the level of religion. Religion has been at the forefront of being identified and conscripted into public life and it’s the most visible excuse for conflicts in Nigeria and unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way." He further added that it is early for Nigerians to express doubt and Semitism about our democracy as everyone has their job cut out for them. He stressed the need for commitment of government at all levels in order for the international community to see measurable changes in the quality of life of Nigerians and the end of the massive hemorrhaging of human lives that has become a part of Nigeria’s' culture.
Mr. Young reassured Nigerians of her commitment and support towards making it a more prosperous place.
