Malunfashi, the hub of indigenous Hausa Christians in Katsina State, the atmosphere was filled with joy, singing and jubilations on Wednesday, 7th December 2022, as 37 new catechists graduated and were commissioned after two good years of rigorous and intensive religious, academic and human development training at St. Joseph Mukasa Catechetical Training Centre Malunfashi, Katsina State, to the attainment of Diploma in Religious Studies.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and representing the Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province the Chief Celebrant, Commissioner and Homilist of the occasion.
Being the Feast day of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Bishop Kukah in his homily encouraged the newly commissioned and all present to take St. Ambrose as a model. Prior to his being chosen and appointed as a Bishop, St. Ambrose was merely a Catechumen (one undergoing instructional training to be officially received into the Church via Baptism as a Christian). Ambrose was known and seen by all to be fearless, resilient, dedicated and faithful in all he does. Hence this was this spirit that remained with him and led him throughout his ministry as a faithful Pastor and Shepherd of the Church.
“Though we are a people of certificates,” says Bishop Kukah, “dedication to service is in the heart.”
The newly commissioned were encourage not to be too carried away the certificates they will be receiving but to be bold evangelizers with the heart. They are encouraged to keep running in the faith – a faith that is anchored on the Cross of Christ. “Like a driver, that you are licensed does not mean that you would not have accident, if you fail to keep the high way code.” Hence, “these are times of promise, in which we are called to witness to the love of Christ, despite the difficult challenges of persecutions, denials of opportunities on religious grounds, kidnappings and banditry we are currently experiencing in our immediate environments.”
Bishop Kukah further enlightened and encouraged the entire congregation that “there must be a Gospel after banditry. What we are experience today is the dying of a particular civilization.” Therefore we must be braced with “the love of Christ in our hearts. This love is communicable”.
At the time of thanksgivings, the Church was filled with joyful singing and dancing by the families and friends of the grandaunts. The prefect of the outgoing class, while giving his valedictory speech thanks the Bishop, the Director of the Institution, Very Rev. Fr. Kelvin Obineche, the entire staff of the institute, the immediate worshiping community and their entire families and friends for the opportunities and support they have received during the periods of their formation and promising to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church in their tasks and responsibilities as Catechists.
Through the Bishop, he calls on the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy to look into the needs, development and empowerment of Catechists as agents of evangelization and collaborators in the evangelical mission of the Church. The Director on his part, thanks the Bishop, Priests, Religious, the Grandaunts and all present to cheer the occasion, the benefactors and benefactresses of the institution were also acknowledged.
Priest, Religious, and men and women from all works of life were special guests at the occasion, cutting across Kaduna, Sokoto, Zaria, Kantagora and Kafanchan Arch/Dioceses. The occasion was crowned with Bishop Kukah also commissioning his Youth Empowerment Project by blessing and handing-over 10 tricycles (Keke-Napep) and 30 motorcycles (Okada) the youths (CYON) of the diocese.
At the twilight of the same day the tireless Bishop Kukah visited made a pastoral visitation to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gidan Bala, Kafur L.G.A, Katsina State. St. Anthony is an out-station of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, under the pastorship of Rev. Fr. Mario Aloysius Prosper Nwoke. In his visit, the Bishop was warmly received by the parishions – little children, youths, middle/old men and women in their cheers of jubilations.
On his part, the Bishop was overwhelmed and encouraged by their warm spirit and devotedness, especially as the Pastoral council took His Lordship round their up-coming parish house that is under construction and has attained a significant stage of development. They pray to be raised into a pastoral area and finally a parish, in no distant time.
On Thursday, being the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Lordship, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah travel from Malunfashi to Gidan Maiciibi (through difficult and un-motor-able terrains to dedicate a new church edifice). Gidan Maicibi is a very small village (insignificant in any map) with no access roads in Bakori Local Government Area. On first visit, one would hardly believe if there are human inhabitants in those lonely corners of the earth, but beyond every imagination, indigenous Christians live there.
It is their ancestral home and they are predominately local farmers. In the last few years of the current democratic dispensation of President Mohammadu Buhari, these axes have been under the threats and attacks of Fulani Bandits, despite suffering the total abandonment of the State and Local Governments, because these areas are dominated by indigenous Hausa Christians (Maguzara).
With the invitation of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Mayere Habila, Bishop Kukah layed the foundation stone of the Church edifice on March 10th 2021, and today 8th December 2022 it is being dedicated. It is an edifice of about 1700 human capacity. This was made possible with the grace of God, supports and donations of the poor village parishioners who desired to build a befitting Church of God, the supports of the diocese and the friends of the Bishop and Parish Priest.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Matthew Saleh stressed that St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gidan Maicibi is a New Church of Hope, Faith, Love, Peace and Unity. He acknowledges the commitment, dedication and hard work of the parish priest, Fr Mayere Habila, towards making this dream a reality.
He noted that the Church, through the death and resurrection of Christ, is the true and perfect temple of the New Covenant, a people gathered as one in Christ. This Church edifice, he says, is a Holy place because people gather here to pray, hear the word of God, celebrate the Eucharist, and receive the other sacraments. Hence it is not a place for village meetings, dancing disco, making phone calls, gossiping and chatting. It is a place for prayer and meditation, a Holy place, and so must be kept absolutely clean at all times.
In addition, this Church symbolizes the indomitable faith, enduring hope and unweaving faith of this community. In conclusion, he did not fail to pay tribute to all whose hard work and generousity have made this day a possibility and a reality.
We continue to thank God for the many successes, growth and developments we are experiences in all the nuke and cranny of our diocese. The diocese Sokoto covers that largest landmass of all the dioceses in Nigeria, covering Katsina state, Zamfara State, Sokoto State and central Kebbi State. Work is not completely comply in St. Joseph, Gidan Maicibi, as pews are still needed for proper liturgical sitting order, and other internal touches – sacred vestments and vessels.
Like Gidan Maicibi there in many other projects in the different axes of the diocese, hence our supports and contributions are highly welcomed. You can inscribe you names on the stones and marbles of evangelization development in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. (For support on the works of Evangelization and development in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, kindly make donations to: First Bank – 3016341918 – Diocese of Sokoto).
Fr. Chris Omotosho.
