APC’s Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, led other prominent Nigerians in the celebration of respected Christian cleric, Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese who turned 70 on Wednesday.
In a personal address to the cleric, the former Lagos governor described his life as “one of devotion and duty to God and humility”, adding that his sermon and contributions as a public intellectual in over four decades “have enriched the national discourse and highlighted the role of morality in the public space.”
Tinubu went on to say that seminal articles authored by the celebrant are proof of his abiding concern for the poor and vulnerable, and that the unwavering fidelity to the have-nots earned him key appointments to carry out national duties as a member of the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel), Chief Mediator, Shell-Ogoni Peace Initiative and currently as the Secretary of the National Peace Committee.
“This nation owes you more than a debt of gratitude. However, knowing the type of person you are, you will never ask for payment of that debt. You will simply continue to give more,” he said.
Asiwaju Tinubu, also a longtime democracy activist who led the resistance to military dictatorship and contributed to the return to civilian rule in the 90s, joined other national figures at an event celebrating the life and milestone age attained by Bishop Kukah.
One of them was former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan whose quiet defection to the APC has left the PDP with no former president in its ranks, despite its previous heights as the country’s ruling party for 16 years.