Kukah said Nigerians were increasingly concerned about the equitable distribution of development projects and economic opportunities that directly affected their communities, rather than simply the geographical or ethnic origins of political leaders.
He spoke on Wednesday at a colloquium in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to mark the state’s 30th anniversary. The event had the theme, “Unity in Diversity: Three Decades of Building a Cohesive Nasarawa State — Issues, Challenges and Prospects.”
The cleric said Nigeria’s leaders had struggled to manage the country’s diversity effectively, contributing to persistent poverty and divisions.
He argued that the country had sufficient resources to meet the needs of its citizens but not enough to satisfy what he described as the greed of some leaders.
Kukah said the manner in which diversity was managed could determine whether a society developed peacefully or remained trapped in conflict.
“Nasarawa State is a miniature Nigeria with over 30 diverse ethnic groups scattered across 13 Local Government Areas,” he said.
“The challenge is how to ensure that in the distribution of opportunities, your eyes are all-encompassing enough to sense the cry of those who cannot access the capital.”
Kukah described Nasarawa as strategically positioned to serve as an economic link between different parts of Nigeria, while highlighting its tourism and natural resources.
He cited the Farin Ruwa Waterfalls in Wamba, Peperuwa Lake in Doma, solid mineral deposits and major industrial investments, including Dangote, as some of the state’s economic assets.
He said Nasarawa’s development prospects would depend on how effectively its resources were harnessed for the benefit of its people.
Kukah urged governments to distribute infrastructure and public institutions more equitably rather than waiting for citizens to demand them.
He warned that concentrating development projects and institutions in the home communities of political leaders could fuel demands for the creation of new states.
“The demand for new states continues because people don’t feel a sense of belonging. When we create belonging, the demand becomes redundant,” he said.
The bishop also paid tribute to the late former military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, who created Nasarawa State in 1996, urging Nigerians to build on the achievements of previous administrations rather than continually starting afresh.
He said that, despite the challenges Nigeria had faced since independence, citizens had remained committed to the country while demanding greater justice and fairness.
Jega highlights Nasarawa’s development
Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, said Nasarawa had progressed from its formative years to a period of transformation during its three decades of existence.
In a presentation titled, “From Foundation to Transformation”, Jega said the state began with limited infrastructure, including a single tarred road, no water board and no state secretariat.
He said internally generated revenue accounted for 3.7 per cent of the state’s revenue in 1997 but had since risen to about 11 per cent.
Jega traced Nasarawa’s administrative history from Nasarawa Province in 1902 to Plateau Province in 1926 and Benue-Plateau in 1967, before its creation as a state on 1 October 1996 alongside Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe and Zamfara states.
He commended the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule for developments in urban renewal, healthcare, agriculture, education, industrialisation and mining.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s record in seven years is transformational — from urban renewal to health, agriculture, education and most importantly industrialisation and mining,” Jega said.
He urged future administrations to prioritise inclusive governance, balanced development, infrastructure, digital expansion, healthcare, mining and skills acquisition for women and young people.
Governor Sule thanked Jega and Kukah for their contributions, saying their presentations provided an opportunity to reflect on Nasarawa’s development and unity.
He described the state’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths and said the 30th anniversary offered an opportunity to assess its achievements and challenges with humility and gratitude.
Sule also recalled the difficulties involved in building a common identity among the different ethnic and cultural groups that make up the state.
Former leaders recall Nasarawa’s early years
Former Military Governor, Lt Col Bala Mande, recalled visiting Lafia in 1998 when it was largely rural and said he was impressed by the development he witnessed, including the introduction of street lighting.
Mande attributed the state’s ability to contain insecurity partly to discipline and respect for traditional institutions.
The state’s first civilian governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, recalled that Nasarawa was established with limited infrastructure, including the Keffi-Akwanga road, and monthly revenue of between ₦500,000 and ₦1m.
Adamu urged residents to contribute to the state’s development, stressing that government alone could not provide every service required by citizens.
