Mathew Hassan Kukah

Biographical record

Surname

Kukah

First Name

Mathew

Other Names

Hassan

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

August 31, 1952,

State of Origin

Kaduna

Schools Attended with Dates

Local Primary School, Akpupal, 1960 – 63; St Fidelis Primary School, Zagom, Kaduna State, 1963 – 65; St Joseph’s Seminary Zaria. 1965 – 1970; St Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, 1971 -1976; University of Ibadan, Urban University, Rome, Bradford University, United kingdom; School of Oriental and African Studies, London

Previous Appointments

asst parish Priest, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Kakuri, Kaduna; Ordained Priest, December, 19, 1976; Dean Student Formation, St. Augustine’s Seminary, Jos, 1978 – 79, Justice and Peace Adviser, Kaduna Provincial Bishop’s Conference, 1981 – 82; Cardinal Ekandem’s respresentative, Abuja, 1982 – 86; Rector St. Joseph Seminary, Zaria. 1986; deputy sec. general, 1990 – 94, sec internal Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria, 1994; Founding Member, Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria, sec general Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria; Special Assistant to the Pontiff on Tribe, Religious Corporations

Have you ever been a member of any political party?

N/A

Membership of International Organizations

Oputa Panel on Human Rights violations Commission, 1999 – 2001; Vicar-General, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, since 2004; sec, National political Reform Conference, 2005; Facilitator of peace process between Ogoni/Shell Petroleum Development Company, 2005; Parish Priest St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Kakuri, Kaduna, currently, mm. 21 Century Trust

Creative Work/Major Exhibitions

Religion, Politics and Power in Northern Nigeria, Spectrum, 1992; Religious Militancy and self Assertion in Nigeria, Avebury, Oxford, 1996; Democracy and Civil Society in Nigeria, Spectrum, 1998

Hobbies

reading, writing, music

Other Relevant Information

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, one of Nigeria's leading public intellectuals, has authored multiple books and thousands of articles on a variety of topics related to governance, religion, human rights, and public policy in Nigeria. He has also given numerous public talks both domestically and abroad. His contributions have influenced public policy, service, and morality. He worked on numerous federal government groups as well as the Bishops' Conference as secretary general. He was the sole mediator in the protracted dispute between the Ogoniland residents of Rivers State, Nigeria, and Shell Petroleum Development Corporation.

Bishop Kukah's efforts to strengthen national unity via interfaith dialogue and the promotion of economic and social justice for all citizens have been driven by his humble upbringing, his extensive pastoral experience, and his networks across the nation.