Hoping Muslims ‘ll One Day Build Church For Christians – Bishop Kuhah

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, the Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, says his earnest prayer is that one day Muslims will find it needful to build a church for Christians.

Bishop Kukah expressed this hope on Monday at the commissioning of 86 housing units with a church and mosque for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Sangere-Marghi village of Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)’s reports, both Muslims and Christians are beneficiaries of the houses built by the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza.

Bishop Kukah said the significance of building the housing estate and the mosque should not be lost on Nigerians at this period that there is so much tension in the country

“Nigerians should learn to practice religion of tolerance and love for their neighbour. It is important that Christians and Muslims appreciate what the Diocese of Yola has done today,” Mr Kukah said.

The renowned cleric charged the governor of the state Ahmadu Fintiri to impress upon other northern governors on the need for synergy between government and religious leaders to promote love and peace in the region, and the country at large.

In his remark, Mr Fintiri commended the laudable initiative and commitment of Mr Mamza to serving humanity and to promoting religious tolerance in the state.

“We are gathered to celebrate one of the outstanding humanitarian efforts in the history of care and support as a nation.

“We are happy to be part of this effort to resettle our brothers and sisters that were displaced by insurgency since 2014” Mr Fintiri said.

In his remarks, Mr Mamza disclosed that the Catholic Diocese built the estate with the support of national and international partners

“This project is a tall dream come true since the Catholic Diocese of Yola first opened its doors to host IDPs on Sunday, September 15, 2014.

“This was after the collapse of some local governments in Northern Adamawa, following Boko Haram attacks on villagers.

“At the height of the displacement in October 2014, when Mubi town and environs came under Boko Haram occupation, thousands fled into Yola and approached us for food and shelter.

“It was at this time that St. Theresa’s IDP Camp housed 4,700 persons. We have been taking care of the IDPs for the past seven years with the little assistance we receive from our major partners.

“The Catholic Diocese of Yola, with its local resources also constructed a Mosque for some of our Muslim IDPs,” Mamza said.

He appealed to government and humanitarian actors for more assistance saying that displaced persons needed to be given opportunities to be productive and self-reliant.

According to him, this will prevent the IDPs from being passive recipients of aid, which results in dependency syndrome.

Many notable personalities, including Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, representative of Lamido of Adamawa, top clergymen, government officials and politicians, attended the event. – NAN