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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Education is effective weapon against insecurity, poverty – Kukah

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese described education as the most potent weapon against insecurity, poverty, and ignorance in Nigeria.
  • He urged governments to prioritize investment in education over solely military solutions for insecurity.
  • The Jesuit Refugee Service Nigeria launched a new education program in Sokoto State to improve access to quality learning for crisis-affected children.

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has declared education the most effective tool for combating insecurity, poverty, and ignorance in Nigeria. He implored all levels of government to significantly increase resource allocation to education, arguing that a sole focus on military responses to insecurity is insufficient.

Education is the most effective weapon against insecurity, poverty and ignorance.

— Bishop Matthew Hassan KukahThe Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese stated his view on the role of education during a program launch.

Kukah asserted that many of Nigeria's current security challenges are rooted in the prolonged neglect of education. He identified ignorance as a primary driver of violence and instability, emphasizing the critical need for accessible, quality education for all children, particularly those impacted by conflict and poverty.

His remarks came during the launch of a new education intervention program by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Nigeria in Sokoto State. The program, titled “Enhancing Access to Safe, Inclusive and Integrated Quality Education Services for Crisis-Affected Children in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria,” aims to broaden educational opportunities for vulnerable children in insecurity-affected communities. It also focuses on strengthening the capacity of teachers and schools.

Many of the security challenges facing Nigeria today stem from years of neglect of education, stressing that ignorance has become a major driver of violence and instability.

— Bishop Matthew Hassan KukahBishop Kukah linked current security issues in Nigeria to historical underinvestment in education.

Mr. Temple Anuforo, Country Director of JRS Nigeria, stated that the organization has already reached over 65,000 people in three local government areas of Sokoto, with women comprising about 60% of beneficiaries. The initiative has also trained 483 teachers to enhance teaching quality in crisis-affected areas. Anuforo highlighted the project's alignment with JRS's commitment to ensuring education for children affected by conflict and displacement, viewing learning as vital for restoring hope and rebuilding communities.

Learning is a vital tool for restoring hope and rebuilding communities.

— Mr. Temple AnuforoThe Country Director of JRS Nigeria emphasized the importance of education for children affected by conflict.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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