“I’m Not Hausa” – Kukah Speaks Out at University Convocation
“I’m Not Hausa” – Kukah Speaks Out at University Convocation
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has asked Nigerians to stop referring to him as a Hausa man, saying the label does not reflect his true origin.
Kukah made the statement during the 16th convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University held in Igbariam, Anambra State, where he was officially installed as the Chancellor of the institution.
He explained that although he is often addressed as Hausa, he is actually from Anchuna in Ikulu Chiefdom, located in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to him, he identifies simply as a Nigerian and urged people to stop attaching the wrong ethnic identity to him.
At the event, Kukah also advised graduating students to uphold good character and represent their families, school, and the country positively. He praised the Anambra State government for investing in education, noting that the state is performing strongly compared to others across Nigeria.
The state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, who attended the ceremony, formally decorated Kukah as Chancellor and expressed confidence in his leadership, describing him as a man of wisdom and strong moral values.
Soludo also announced a ₦4 million reward for the overall best graduating student, Somtochukwu Augustus Ume, who achieved an impressive CGPA of 4.85. In addition, he awarded scholarships to 37 first-class graduates to support their postgraduate education in any public university of their choice.
The governor encouraged universities to focus on producing innovative graduates who can solve real-world problems, rather than just awarding certificates.
