Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nok University, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has urged Nigerians to renew and rededicate themselves with greater commitment to the promotion of a new civilization of love through education. Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of Board of Trustees of Nok University, held on Tuesday, in Abuja, Bishop Kukah said the institution, which is located in Kachia, Kaduna State, must become a lighthouse of hope, a rallying point for generations of Nigerians. He said: “This institution may be geographically located in Kachia, but it is by no means to be held a prisoner of its location. It must become a lighthouse of hope, a rallying point for the generation of ideas about our common history, cultures and humanity.
This university must become the labour room for the birth of generations of a new Nigerian elite committed to building a great country, far from the shattered destruction of bigotry and hate that has engulfed us. “We must renew and rededicate ourselves with greater commitment to the promotion of a new civilization of love through education. Please let me divert to make a point about why this ceremony is so important for our country and the larger society.” The prelate thanked the Interim Committee which mid-wifed the university, as he urged the new board to put in its utmost to elevate the institution. He also commended the National Universities Commission, NUC for their efficiency in promoting learning in the country. He said: “I can only say that NUC was awesome.
The executive secretary went beyond the call of duty. We saw their efficiency, their commitment; almost fanatical commitment to seeing that this university came to be. And of course, also, the founder of this university did everything humanly possible to comply with the deadlines, and I think this is commendable. But it is also the measure of enthusiasm of those who wanted this university off the ground, and I think what all this demonstrates is the fact that when we all come together and we have institutions of state that serve the people and meet the interest of which they were set, a lot of things will be much easier for us in this country.” On what the institution stands for, and expectations from it, Bishop Kukah said: “I think you will expect the best you will find because we were prepared to rally people from across the board and across the world. We were deliberate in our choice of name. I mean, Nok civilization is thousands and thousands of years, and I think even that iconic affiliation with that history and that culture suggests that excellence will be our touch stone.
