Former Nigeria Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has called on the federal and States governments to ensure the reintroduction of religious knowledge in public primary and secondary schools across the country.
The elder statesman while disclosing that there is hope for the future of the country said “it is the only way we can change the society for the better”.
General Babangida said when he played host to the leadership of Niger state Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by the state Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who were on a familiarisation visit to his hilltop mansion, Minna that there is the need for Nigeria to go back to the teachings of religious knowledge in schools.
It should be noted that, the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) to public schools in Niger state have been topmost amongst topical issues by various stakeholders as it was gathered that proposals have been submitted to the state government.
Commending the state CAN for its effort in ensuring that morals are inculcated in the lives of youths, the Elder statesman said he will be ready to champion the cause for a better society.
In his words: “I can see that you are making a lot of efforts in trying to bring back morals and religious knowledge in our society.
“This is the only way we can change our society, by teaching Christian Religious Knowledge, Islamic Religious Knowledge and other moral subjects in our public schools.
“It may not be easy, but I know it is what this country needs at the moment. We need to go back to what it used to be especially in the teachings of religious knowledge.”
General Babangida while disclosing that, in his secondary school days during the 50s and 60s, Christians and Muslims prayed and played together in love and unity added that “religious knowledge was one factor that shapened the society in my growing days but somehow as a nation, we missed it somewhere.”
Reassuring, he said “I think we can still get it right, I am very confident that, with people like you (CAN), and your efforts, we can get things back to normal.”
Pledging his unflinching support, General Babangida said “I believe this government will be very interested in issues that can bring peace and good morals. You are doing it for the society, and the society automatically becomes the beneficiary. And when the society benefits from it, then we have a better society.
“I am prepared and I will be ready anytime with any good cause you have. I will be ready to speak to the President (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and the State Governor (Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago) and I can assure you that something will be done both at national and states levels”.
Speaking earlier, the State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said the leadership of CAN visited the former Military President to formally introduce themselves, get counsels and draw from his wealth of experience.
Most Rev. Dr. Yohanna who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese described General Babangida as one who believes in the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria irrespective of tribe, religion or political differences.
According to him “your Excellency sir, we see you as a father who gives great counsels to everyone that comes to you for a better Nigeria where everyone can live in love and cohabit peacefully.
“However, one major worry we have as a body is the future of our children. We are doing all we can to curtail any form of restiveness and to ensure we inculcate in our youths good morals for a better society.
“As such, one of the best strategies we believe in, is to catch them young especially in basic schools. And we strongly want to appeal to you to join us in the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in the curriculum of all public primary and secondary schools across the state and the country.
“We believe through the teachings, we can inculcate good morals in our children, tackle insecurity and put an end to youth restiveness”.
Bishop Yohanna also disclosed that the state CAN has made several efforts including submitting proposals to the government and hoping for positive action.
Furthermore, he assured the elder statesman that Christians all over the state are not relenting in praying for leaders both past and present, at state and national levels, adding that “we also pray for our unity and peaceful coexistence especially amongst both faiths”.
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