Kundi: Walking The Steps Of A Righteous Bishop
BY SIMON REEF MUSA
On February 20, 2020, Kafanchan witnessed an unprecedented mammoth crowd that thronged the township stadium to witness the inauguration of Msgr. Julius Yakubu Kundi as the new bishop of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese. The event effectively signaled the commencement of a new era since the death of the irrepressible and erudite Bishop Joseph Bagobiri in February 2018. The inaugural speech of the new bishop was full of assurances for both the diocese and Southern Kaduna that issues that were dear to the late bishop would not be abandoned.
For some who thought the death of Bishop Bagobiri sounded a finality on his good works, the new bishop rekindled the hopes of many that have mourned the demise of the first bishop. Bagobiri demonstrated an uncommon zeal that was enmeshed in deep cerebral disposition. The late bishop knew too well that solutions plaguing his people were age-long and, so, required a gradual process in addressing the ills. Apart from striving to meet up with the spiritual needs of the sheep, Bagobiri was genuinely concerned with issues of social development. Bagobiri’s oratory kept even his enemies spellbound as he sought to influence engagements with political leaders through the Southern Kaduna Christian Elders’ Forum.
Kafanchan Diocese under him was committed to the provision of quality education through setting up of schools. It is on record that by the time he passed on, the diocese had many schools, hospitals that were engaged in providing quality education and healthcare services to people across faiths and denominations. On insecurity ravaging the Southern Kaduna, Bagobiri was never afraid to walk alone in search of solutions. Unlike some clerics who kept mute, the late Chief Shepherd put the present Kaduna state Government on its toes by constantly challenging the Kaduna State Government to rise up and stave off further attacks on our communities. As a quintessential Shepherd that he was, Bagobiri dared the lion to keep the sheep save.
Bishop Kundi recalls the inspiring memories of the late bishop and his essentials: “His memories still resonate with us, as someone who was an eloquent speaker with a sweet voice and an excellent mind. Someone that the history of Southern Kaduna will never be completely told without putting him in his right place as an advocate for justice and passion for social development. Although some people considered him controversial, majority considered him as one who meant well for the geographical jurisdiction known as Southern Kaduna. Because of his radical and strong opposition against all structures of injustice, the people of Southern Kaduna saw him as both a spiritual father and a political advocate. As a spiritual father, he led his people to God. As a political advocate, he protected them against the actions of Caesar.”
There’s no doubt that Kundi’s emergence as the new Chief Shepherd of Kafanchan Diocese offers a candle of hope for alleviating our present pathetic and appalling conditions. Acknowledging the big shoes left by the scholarly Chief Shepherd that would be too difficult to fill is a demonstration of humility and a call on divine assistance for the new bishop. Leadership is best demonstrated when people are galvanised for the common good. The emergence of el-Rufai in 2015 as governor has erased rays of hope in crawling out of our dungeon of despair. Dearth of infrastructure and incessant attacks on our communities have become twin ogres of our shared woes. Land seizures and confiscation in the name of grazing reserves herald a troubling future for our children. Most of our vibrant youths have abandoned our ancestral lands in search of an easy life in the city. Most of those left behind in our villages have become victims of drug addictions and interminable attacks from herdsmen.
Our fertile green fields are being destroyed through massive environmental degradation by wood vendors and the future of our unborn generations threatened. We are an endangered people whose children are no longer proud of their ancestry. We live in times when being an indigene of Southern Kaduna has become a negative trait for many. Our children are not spared the brunt of where they hail from as they are subjected to discriminatory practices that deny them access to courses of their choice in public schools.
Despite occupying various political positions at both state and federal level by sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna, the area still can’t boast of a signboard belonging to the Federal Government. Our leaders who occupied prime positions in public offices woefully failed to leverage on these appointments to advance our general good. Just as our military officers were too busy pursuing nebulous nationalism, our present political leaders are now embracing political correctness for survival. By their actions or inactions, Southern Kaduna has been reduced into an altar for selfish and pecuniary interest. For now, the enemy is no longer an outsider but now live in our midst.
To stem the tide against our people, there is the urgent need to have all hands on deck to free ourselves from the present doom caused by past failures. Bishop Kundi may not re-enact the fiery disposition of Bagobiri who was never afraid to walk alone, nevertheless, his call for cooperation from critical stakeholders of rallying togetherness to solve our problems must be heeded to by all and sundry. With politicians abandoning the people, Bishop Kundi and other respectable clerics like Apostle Emmanuel Kure, among several others, cannot fold their hands and allow the continued persecution of Christians. We need actions just as we need prayers and a new altar must be built to recapture our glorious past.
Bishop Kundi comes with a credential etched in sound theological studies that focuses on social justice, among others. Born on February 15, 1968 in Kubau, Kaduna State, the new bishop was ordained a priest on June 14, 1997 at the St. Joseph Cathedral Kaduna by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. After his primary education at the LEA Primary School, Danladi, in 1982, he proceeded to the Government Secondary School Pambegua briefly and later to the Religious Training Centre, Rahama, in Saminaka from 1983 to 1984. Between 1985 and 1987, he was at the Kafanchan Teachers’ College for his Grade II. He was at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi and also St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, for a Diploma in Theology. He would later cap his studies with a degree in Theology at the University of Jos in 1996.
Kundi acquired a master’s degree in Theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt. He would later return to read for the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) in Moral Theology from 2005 and 2006. Some of his unpublished works include, ‘Biblical Fundamentalism: Challenges and dangers In Christendom’ (thesis submitted, Jos, 1996) and ‘Impact of Islam on Christian families in Zaria Diocese Nigeria: A moral evaluation’ (thesis submitted, Port Harcourt, 2005).
Kundi held various positions, among them are the Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Havasu City, Phoenix Diocese in the United States of America from 2018 to his eventual elevation as Bishop; Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Zaria (2009 -2010) and Vice Rector and Formator of the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna (2010- 2014).
Not a few expect the new Chief Shepherd to walk his promise in pursuing issues that are critical to the spiritual and welfare needs of his people. If the speech of Bishop Kundi is anything to go by, then, we are set to watch another Chief Shepherd walk on the righteous path treaded by Bagobiri who was loved beyond measures across denominational and faith divide.
