The Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has called on Nigerians to stop referring to him as a Hausa man, stating that the label does not accurately reflect his origin.
Kukah made the clarification during the 16th convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University held in Igbariam, Anambra State, where he was formally installed as the chancellor of the institution.
Addressing attendees, the cleric explained that although he is frequently identified as Hausa, he hails from Anchuna in Ikulu Chiefdom, located in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He stressed that he prefers to be identified simply as a Nigerian and urged the public to avoid attributing him to an incorrect ethnic background.
Beyond the identity issue, Kukah used the occasion to advise graduating students to uphold integrity and serve as worthy ambassadors of their families, institution, and the country.
He also commended the Anambra State government for its investment in education, noting that the state continues to stand out in academic development nationwide.
Governor Charles Soludo, who attended the ceremony, decorated Kukah as chancellor and described him as a leader of wisdom and strong moral standing, expressing confidence in his stewardship of the university.
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Gov..Soludo also announced a ₦4 million reward for the overall best graduating student, Somtochukwu Augustus Ume, who achieved a CGPA of 4.85.
Additionally, he awarded scholarships to 37 first-class graduates to support their postgraduate studies in public universities of their choice.
The governor further urged universities across the country to prioritise innovation and practical problem-solving, emphasizing the need to produce graduates capable of addressing real-world challenges rather than merely earning academic certificates.
