Christians in Osun State, especially members of
the Osun Baptists Conference, on Monday
protested against the attempted merger of
Muslim students wearing hijab with the Baptists
policy introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola last week inaugurated a new
education policy in Osun, which the governor
said had necessitated re-classification and
merger of public schools in the state to reflect
the new education system.
The governor, who expressed worry about the
protest, however, urged the people to cooperate
with the school restructuring, saying the policy
was introduced as part of transformation of the
education sector by his government.
Aggrieved Christians armed with Holy Bible and
Hymn books trooped to the Baptists High School
as early as 7:30am and dislodged the students
and prevented teachers from entering the school
premises.
They said that the merger of the schools, if
allowed to succeed, would obliterate the Baptist
heritage and that they would not allow hijab-
wearing students in a school founded by
Christian missionaries.
The Christian protesters defied the presence of
armed security operatives and insisted that they
would not allow the merger to work.
Presiding minister for the 35 Baptist churches in
Iwo land, Rev. Bayo Ademuyiwa, said the church
had nothing against the government’s attempt
to equip schools in the state but he said that
the church would not allow any attempt to erase
its identity and heritage.
He said, “Our forefathers and missionaries
sacrificed their lives, resources and everything to
establish schools, reputable schools with morals
and values and that is why the Baptists in Iwo
land are here to protect our schools.
“Without any doubt, the Baptists in the state are
known for excellence, decorum and dignity.
These virtues are highly cherished by the
Nigerian Baptist Convention and this is the
reason why the Baptists are making these two
submissions which are, “Baptists in Iwo land say
no to merger of schools and Baptists in Iwo land
say no to the use of hijab in Baptists schools.
“While we welcome genuine efforts to provide
modern infrastructures and equipments in
schools in Osun State, the Baptists see merger
of schools as a step in the wrong direction as it
will rob us of our identity and bring more pains
to parents and students.”
Chairman, Osun State Christian Association of
Nigeria, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, also said that CAN
would not allow any programme to erase the
legacy of the Church.
Ogundiya said, “We have maintained this stand
from inception and we will continue to defend
lawfully what belong to us as Christians in the
state.”
“As a major stakeholder in the state, the
leadership of CAN expects the state government
to invite us to discuss this issue without delay.
We wish to explain it clearly that at no time did
the new leadership of CAN in Osun held any
meeting with the state government on the issue
of merger of schools.”
But the governor, in a statement by his media
aide, Semiu Okanlawon, allayed the fears ,
promising that the interest of all groups,
organisations, religious and social bodies would
be protected in the ongoing re-classification and
reform.
He urged the people of the state to
discountenance and dismiss “any untrue and
baseless insinuation” critics of the government
might be spreading across the state.
0 comments:
Post a Comment