By Guardian Nigeria 27 December 2023 | 2:59 am Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, has advised leaders to remain truthful and fine-tune formidable actions in solving the nation’s challenges. Bishop Matthew Kukah Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, has advised leaders to remain truthful and fine-tune formidable actions in solving the nation’s challenges. Kukah gave the advice in an interactive session with newsmen as part of Christmas celebrations, in Sokoto. He said Nigeria as a country was endowed with human and mineral resources, but was faced with resource management challenges, lamenting how lack of patriotism was affecting the development of the country. He called on governments at all levels to focus on meeting the yearnings and aspirations of citizens with constructive directions and framework of policy decisions. Kukah decried the lack of clear definition of a country’s direction, stressing that citizens needed to be informed and be aware of programmes and policies that affect their lives. He cautioned Nigerians against accumulating illicit funds, mostly stashed in foreign banks, stressing that some of the investments in such countries were alarming and disappointing. “It is high time ordinary brilliant Nigerians in the nation’s hospitals and academia are appreciated and encouraged. “More is needed to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, and palliatives should be regarded as temporary measures. “Government should also fine-tune measures to end kidnapping and other security challenges in the interest of a prosperous nation”, Kukah said. He appealed to leaders to have credible direction on the renewed hope agenda and tailor it on a solid foundation of faith and hope for the restoration of glory for the country. Kukah cautioned against over sensationalisation of investigations of fraud cases; rather, he said the government should focus on policies with meaningful impact for citizens. He emphasised the need for more infrastructure development and scientific ways of dealing with corrupt practices to avoid distraction. “There must be a deliberate effort to restore hope to the poor and vulnerable in our society,” he added. The bishop appealed to Nigerians to continue to have faith in the country . EARLIER in his Christmas message on Monday Kukah told President Bola Tinubu that he has no reason to fail . In the message, tagged, “Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,” Kukah said, having now achieved his aim of becoming Nigeria’s President after over 20 years of struggle, Tinubu should now use his experiences to solve the nation’s problems. He said: “Mr. President, Sir, congratulations and a happy Christmas. Now, you have what you prayed for, what you dreamt of, what you longed for. For the better part of over 20 years, you have plotted to be our President. For years, you campaigned for a new Nigeria through restructuring or overhauling the defective machinery of the Nigerian state. “For years, you fought the military and other forms of dictatorships. For years, you fought for the victims of a deep state. For years, you sought to create an egalitarian society. For years, you sought a just society. For years, you have built networks with individuals, communities and institutions. Now is harvest time. “You are in the driving seat now. Under your watch, Nigeria must turn the corner. Under your watch, we must end the ugly instrumentalisation of religious, ethnic or regional identities. You have had enough time to think of the answers to many questions that are crying for answers. Your future and that of our country is in your hands.” NOW Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. 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