Jos—Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, yesterday
dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government was in
the process of stopping the teaching of Christian Religious
Knowledge, CRK, in primary and secondary schools in the
country.
The governor, who spoke while addressing the 90th
General Church Council, GCC of Church of Christ in
Nations, COCIN in Jos, said many clerics had
approached him on the issue and urged those spreading
the rumour to stop as such was doing more harm than
good to the polity.
According to him: “Constitutionally, the issue of Primary
school education is completely the responsibility of state
and local governments, so if somebody is bringing it at the
federal level, I don’t think is for Plateau State. I doubt if in
our madness we would want to change the curriculum that
has built and made us responsible.”
He called on spiritual leaders and members of the church
to continue to pray that the peace being experienced in the
state be sustained. He also appealed to the church to
partner with government in fighting the ills of the society.
Earlier, President of COCIN, Rev. Dachollom Datiri, urged
Northern state governors not to engage in any policy
aimed at undermining the rights of its citizens, warning that
the proposed Religious Preaching bill by the Kaduna State
government, was a bad omen that should be rejected by all
peace loving citizens.
The cleric stressed that the constitution of Nigeria did not
discriminate against any religion and the move by the
Kaduna State government to restrict or regulate preaching
was clearly a breach of the fundamental human rights of
Christians.
He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari
for his efforts at tackling insecurity and corruption in the
country, but lamented that “while the scourge of Boko
Haram has slightly abated, brutal attacks by Fulani
herdsmen have claimed hundreds of innocent lives in
several parts of the country causing a national outcry.”
Speaking on the ongoing fuel crisis and the proposed
grazing reserves, he noted that “citizens have been battling
the fuel crises, in the midst of this unbearable situation,
Nigerians were slammed with the deregulation
pronouncement. While it is being argued that this will help
end the perennial fuel crisis, is this not portraying a level of
insensitivity on the part of government?
''What measures have been put in place to cushion the
effects of deregulation? It is shameful that Nigeria is
having to go through such unbearable experiences when
our country is a major producer of crude oil.
“Nigerian lawmakers must appreciate the weight of trust
and responsibility bestowed on them by the electorate.
They must work for equity and defend the common people
against those who would oppress and take advantage of
others. The idea of grazing reserves is barbaric. We must
reject this move aimed at keeping some people perpetually
dominated.”
dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government was in
the process of stopping the teaching of Christian Religious
Knowledge, CRK, in primary and secondary schools in the
country.
The governor, who spoke while addressing the 90th
General Church Council, GCC of Church of Christ in
Nations, COCIN in Jos, said many clerics had
approached him on the issue and urged those spreading
the rumour to stop as such was doing more harm than
good to the polity.
According to him: “Constitutionally, the issue of Primary
school education is completely the responsibility of state
and local governments, so if somebody is bringing it at the
federal level, I don’t think is for Plateau State. I doubt if in
our madness we would want to change the curriculum that
has built and made us responsible.”
He called on spiritual leaders and members of the church
to continue to pray that the peace being experienced in the
state be sustained. He also appealed to the church to
partner with government in fighting the ills of the society.
Earlier, President of COCIN, Rev. Dachollom Datiri, urged
Northern state governors not to engage in any policy
aimed at undermining the rights of its citizens, warning that
the proposed Religious Preaching bill by the Kaduna State
government, was a bad omen that should be rejected by all
peace loving citizens.
The cleric stressed that the constitution of Nigeria did not
discriminate against any religion and the move by the
Kaduna State government to restrict or regulate preaching
was clearly a breach of the fundamental human rights of
Christians.
He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari
for his efforts at tackling insecurity and corruption in the
country, but lamented that “while the scourge of Boko
Haram has slightly abated, brutal attacks by Fulani
herdsmen have claimed hundreds of innocent lives in
several parts of the country causing a national outcry.”
Speaking on the ongoing fuel crisis and the proposed
grazing reserves, he noted that “citizens have been battling
the fuel crises, in the midst of this unbearable situation,
Nigerians were slammed with the deregulation
pronouncement. While it is being argued that this will help
end the perennial fuel crisis, is this not portraying a level of
insensitivity on the part of government?
''What measures have been put in place to cushion the
effects of deregulation? It is shameful that Nigeria is
having to go through such unbearable experiences when
our country is a major producer of crude oil.
“Nigerian lawmakers must appreciate the weight of trust
and responsibility bestowed on them by the electorate.
They must work for equity and defend the common people
against those who would oppress and take advantage of
others. The idea of grazing reserves is barbaric. We must
reject this move aimed at keeping some people perpetually
dominated.”
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