APRIL? – A book based on the controversy arising from Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah’s homily at the funeral of former Kaduna State governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, will be launched in Kaduna. Entitled A Funeral, a Sermon & a Comment: Matters Arising from Yakowa’s Death, the book is edited by Francis Ulal Damina.
It contains Kukah’s homily, a rejoinder to the homily by newspaper columnist Abubakar Gimba, and reactions to Gimba’s rejoinder by other contributors such as Mohammed Haruna, Aniebo Nwamu, Yusufu Atang Tanko and Sylva Manti Ngu.
Kukah’s “offence” in his homily, according to Gimba, was that he indirectly criticised “scoundrels” who had excluded non-Muslims from governing Kaduna State and thereby “laid the foundation for the unnecessary and sad religious tensions that have continued to dog the state”.
Yakowa died along with Gen. Andrew Azazi in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State in December 2012.
Author Damina’s pre-launch plan shows that former education minister Dr Oby Ezekwesili will review the book on the occasion billed to take place in Kaduna.
Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar and House of Reps speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal will be special guests of honour.
Sheik Ahmad Gumi and Bishop D. Bagobiri of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese will be spiritual fathers.
Royal fathers: HRH Agwatyap, Dr Yusuf H. Bungon, Agwom Akulu, Mal. Yohanna S. Kukah, Kpop Gwong, and Col. Paul Zakka (rtd).
Chief launcher: Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, MD, Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals.
Co-launchers: Saudan Kagoro, Chief Danjuma La’ah, and Andrew Yakubu, former GMD of NNPC.
UPDATE: Malam Abubakar Gimba, whose rejoinder to Bishop Kukah’s homily led to the book’s publishing, died on March 3. He has been buried according to Islamic rites. The book’s launch has also been postponed.
ALSO IN THE PRINT EDITION…
