In the chill of January 20, 2013, this writer chanced upon what was supposed to be a rejoinder to the sermon delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, his Excellency, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah at the requiem mass of the late Governor of Kaduna State; his Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa at the hallowed grounds of St. Paul’s parish, Fadan Kagoma, Kaduna State on December 20, 2012. The curious mind would ask: ‘what has January got to do with March and why is this coming now? ‘The answers are legion but only few will be considered. The seriousness of the issues raised and the inconsiderateness that Abubakar Gimba, whom I understand is a renowned author, commentator and past president of the Association of Nigerian Authors displayed in his hysterical defence of the issues we will soon x-ray. Gimba’s misrepresentation and further misinformation about Kukah’s sermon have spawned some red lights in a day-light pub which one is intent on putting out here and now.
In the chill of January 20, 2013, this writer chanced upon what was supposed to be a rejoinder to the sermon delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, his Excellency, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah at the requiem mass of the late Governor of Kaduna State; his Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa at the hallowed grounds of St. Paul’s parish, Fadan Kagoma, Kaduna State on December 20, 2012. The curious mind would ask: ‘what has January got to do with March and why is this coming now? ‘The answers are legion but only few will be considered. The seriousness of the issues raised and the inconsiderateness that Abubakar Gimba, whom I understand is a renowned author, commentator and past president of the Association of Nigerian Authors displayed in his hysterical defence of the issues we will soon x-ray. Gimba’s misrepresentation and further misinformation about Kukah’s sermon have spawned some red lights in a day-light pub which one is intent on putting out here and now.
More importantly, this playwright waited to see if Gimba was going to comment about the remarks of the Kaduna based Sheik Ahmad Gumi justifying the ill-fated helicopter crash which led to the death of Sir. Ibrahim Yakowa and retired General Andrew Azazi, the former Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on December 15, 2012 in Bayelsa State. Since he didn’t and as the Islamic scholar Usman Danfodio would say, conscience is an open wound which only truth can heal it, hence this piece.
Gimba began his enthusiastic musical note on high pitch by recounting his encounter in India with a young medical doctor (dentist) whose accent indicates that of a Tiv man from Benue State. To his mind, the author’s recollection of what the dentist said was cacophonic. No sensible person should support any form of look-down or attack on northern Muslims as Gimba deduced, concluded and argued against. Of course Gimba’s treatise demonstrates an unquestioned excellence in flair and aptitude showcasing a northerner with class!
However, his take on many issues has led the way in catalysing this rejoinder. With every sense of modesty, on the words attributed to the young man namely: ‘they think it is their birth right to rule Nigeria all the time,’ one would refer Gimba to his fellow Northerner; Mahmud wrote: ‘‘If Yar’adua had lived and gone on to serve until 2015, that would have made for 43 years out of Nigeria’s independence, or fully 78% of the whole period of nationhood. Well, fate intervened in May last (2010 – addition mine), and one thing led to another, until we are where we are today. From cries against ‘northern domination’ only a short while ago, here we are, with northerners crying ‘short change!’ and ‘marginalization!’ to high heavens’’ (Cf., Mahmud Jega, ‘Introduction to Special Edition on the North: Many big problems, but the seeds of the solution too’ in, Daily Trust,Friday 29, 2011). Perhaps Gimba will reply to his brother someday!
Key points to consider here as I earlier noted in an article titled: ‘Northern Nigeria at the threshold of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence,’ are; the fact that the inordinate quest for power, its eventual loss by northern power players who have milked Nigeria’s fatted calf for decades and an attempt to retain political leadership to the section belong to woes that have brought us where we are. Political statements of some prominent northern politicians before and after the post-election violence that greeted Jonathan’s ascent to power as well as current intrigues of the ‘warm-up’ for 2015 pools, lend credence to this fact. These, like the issues raised by Kukah in his December sermon would surely not be the type of music Gimba and others in his cast would want to dance to.
What does the current allegation of illegitimate allocation of oil wells by some powerful men from the region under review say and portend for the future of this country? More so, a recollection and connection of the Delhi episode with Bishop Kukah’s sermon is playing blues and rock at the same time – the result is obvious. We now turn our violins to the fact that the cleric delivered a sermon not a speech. A sermon, unlike a homily which is a brief exhortation, is a full length oratorical, analytical and enthusiastic exposition of the Word of God for the good of the community/faithful.
The shock of this essayist is beyond imagining at Gimba’s guts in attempting to cut to pieces, the inspired Word of God, delivered by a man of God of Kukah’s rank. A question for the author: ‘Can one attempt such a feat about tafsir (the Arabic word for exegesis) delivered by any Imam/Mallam on the holy grounds of Jumait prayers? How many rejoinders has he written about overzealous preachers who preach sermons capable of pulling down the very foundations of our nationhood? If this imprudence is not nipped in the bud it would certainly be a bad example for the young. Does being an author or commentator qualify anyone to dissect God’s Word with reckless intemperance? Maybe Kukah would have submitted his script to Gimba for vetting before that liturgical function. Does the truth now depend on who wants to hear it? Come on!
In his single, the soloist had accused the diaspora doctor of indoctrination and ‘or infantile anger of the greenhorn to life’s fact sheets’ – wow, these surely are melodious words but they truly belong elsewhere and our commentator knows where. A sure accomplishment in less promising competencies, this is. A database on the almajiri in the north and strife are enough!
One would not know why the divisive classification of northerners ‘they’ and ‘us’ would surprise Gimba to no end. While he tried to pitch his argument against this insinuation, he is not unaware of the facts on the ground - The politics behind the formation of the Arewa Consultative Forum, the middle belt question, indigene and settler squabbles and of course, political cum religious quagmires!
Can anyone explain what is currently happening to and in the north? In the article referred above, (Northern Nigeria at the threshold of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence), it is opined that mutual suspicion, acrimony and aversion wrought about by the Hausa/Fulani hegemony over and above other major Northern tribes, subjugation of non-Hausa/fulani tribes under the Emirate System and the much talked about indigene and settler problem(s) are major points which soared the apple of peace and concord in the north and invariably, Nigeria.
In his ‘star-performance’ our vocalist thought loud in wishing the Bishop luck in winning a Nobel Peace Prize or fulfilling his dreams of stardom. This is a joke of the century - an unwelcome melodrama in a thriller footage. What prize or stardom is he talking about? What worldly prize would anyone give the Bishop that the priesthood of Christ has not given him? The new man inaugurated by Christ through his incarnation and Holy Priesthood makes one a fulfilled creature in Christ-Jesus and this, no doubt, Kukah enjoys endlessly and one would make bold to point out that no earthly diadem equals it!
If ‘the bishop’s obvious alarm may have stemmed from anger over past injustices and unfair deals’ as the former ANA president indicated, why didn’t he outline or even acknowledge those injustices in passing? A clear case of selective perception - to the unsophisticated reader, Gimba’s debut is impressive but a closer look at the reckless application of energy in reminding the clergy man of no go areas in the kerygmatic ministry is amazing.
An interesting one is asking the latter to ‘…be concerned (about - addition mine) and play Moses’ to his people. I am delighted that our critic is no novice in biblical matters but a quick reminder is what Moses said to Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s response/reaction and what followed after. Other than venturing into such misadventures of interpreting what one is an amateur in, it would be good to check the label before you play the music - Mr. know all - because the prodigies God worked before pharaoh were not for fun which that sermon proverbially addressed. Besides, it is preposterous to think that a man of God has no business talking about politics.
The above repeated fallacy ought to have been corrected by the likes of Gimba given his exposure but in a world filled with ‘insular scholars of intelligence’ what would one expect? A vibrant paradigm here is the place of prophets; Elijah, Elisha, Amos and Hosea to mention just few among the people of the book – the man of God who is a social animal by the virtue of living in the society must speak against injustices, oppression, political shenanigans, moral absolutes and the need for divine assistance in human affairs. The bishop whose credentials speak for him as a social crusader, major contributor to public debates by involvement with media and the academic community and voice of the voiceless did his work and should be thanked by the likes of you – what is more!
Just as Gimba wants Kukah to mentor blessed John Paul II, he also should mentor two renowned northerners, Gen. Abdulsami Abubakar (former military ruler) and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (erstwhile EFCC boss) for not only believing in the north but for speaking about the unity of the country and challenging northerners to stand up to the challenge of the time(s). The former has always been bold in speaking against ills crippling the north. The latter had criticised northerners for always talking about Sardauna, Tafawa Balewa and the rest of them without lifting a finger to do anything (Cf., Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, In News, December 7, 2011).
On what has been, the words of UK journalist and novelist George Orwell, who worked in Europe around the time of the Second World War, namely: ‘unpopular ideas and inconvenient facts’ are prophetic! Making a commentary on this, Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence made the case for ideas that are buried simply because they are thought unacceptable, impolite or even unpatriotic to talk about them. Sometimes conventional thinking in a society, rather than the deliberate actions of individuals, creates a blanket of secrecy which daring persons like Bishop Kukah always lay bare. Next time Gimba wants to release an album, he should rewrite his lyrics courting truth, fairness, objectivity and respect for elders!
Aside our religious affiliations, we are Africans - no one should leverage on academic achievement or qualification to lampoon any person of clerical ranking. Our various cultures are agreed on respect for elders who in turn have social responsibility to all. Intellectual and emotional self-regulation should be employed by all social analysts of Gimba’ genre to checkmate self-delusion and misinformation. Our flutes should trumpet objectivity, religious pluralism and nation building. No question(s) here - An enterprise of this magnitude, though an unpopular exploit, is for matured minds who are ready to marry faith with good works, speak for humanity and dance to the rhythm of peaceful co-existence. Where truth plays the piano dexterously, all fellow country wo/men, already illuminated/liberated, would be singing apocalyptically: ‘In Nigeria, peace to people of good will.’ May God bless our country and help us never to dull our sparkle!
Fr. Justine John Dyikuk, a Catholic priest, freelance writer/poet and Public Affairs Commentator writes from, Centre for the Study of Africa Culture and Communication, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he is a post-graduate student in Communication Studies/Pastoral Communication!
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