Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, stated that no Nigerian president has ever delivered a speech as impactful or memorable as the one given at Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Thursday, Kukah emphasized that Nigeria has struggled to create a unifying national vision.
He highlighted that nation-building relies on myths and visions that inspire collective imagination, citing the “American Dream” as an example.
Kukah further explained that Nigeria’s military rulers hindered intellectual engagement in governance, which stifled the development of ideas that could have strengthened the nation.
He said, “Nation building is about mythology. It’s not about reality. America today is a myth—the American Dream.
“But Nigeria has not had the ability or capacity to create a dream.
“Think back to the 1960 speech—has any Nigerian president since then delivered a speech that made you feel awe or that was as memorable as John F. Kennedy’s 1963 speech, where you remember exactly where you were?
“That points to the intellectual substance of governance.
“When the military realized they couldn’t win the intellectual debate, they pushed it aside.
“They prevented intellect from becoming a leading force. So, as it was said, people ended up teaching things they weren’t paid to teach.”
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