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.
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| Aregbesola |
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. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Wat I̶̲̥̅̊S̤̥̈̊ the meaning of this
ReplyDeletePlease Baptist people just understand with the Governor. Yoruba are known for religious tolerance, that made you people the envy of most people. Please don't allow sentiment and CAN to jeopardise the long standing history of tolerance, love,understanding and peaceful coexistence. Don't try to import what is not the norm of your people. Because there is nothing wrong in Muslim and christian children to come under one roof purposes of learning as that will roster better understanding between the two side.Hmm look around and see what is happening.
ReplyDeleteThe governor must respect the sensibilities of the Christians in any policies he is implementing. after all a Christian school must be left as one, in like manner a Muslim school should remain so.
ReplyDeleteThis gorvernor should know that God is watching him.
ReplyDeletethe governor shud be caucious in his perceptions. Baptist school is a private school nd the governor knows that there's no way the issue of merging will work cos there are so many government schools osun where both xtians nd muslims attends, y is the governor attempting what is humanly impossible too, he governor shud not dare to manipulate what God has ordained. To be fore warned is to be fore armed.
ReplyDelete@ Khalid said "Yoruba are known for religious tolerance, that made you people the envy of most people. Please don't allow sentiment and CAN to jeopardise the long standing history of tolerance, love,understanding and peaceful coexistence."
ReplyDeleteIt is the above virtue that has made the Yoruba to become second class citizens in Nigeria. Because we don't want "trouble", we have allowed every Tom, Dick and Harry to trample upon us and our heritage. I cannot imagine Gov. Kwankwaso of Kano State allowing Christian students to attend Muslim schools in Kano with crosses around their necks and the Holy Bible in their hands.
If a state government cannot maintain a school that was initially forcefully taken from the owners, it should return the school to the owner for proper running. The Baptist convention is more than capable of running their schools without government intervention or assistance. Gov. Aregbesola should not allow some religious clowns, hiding under state necessity, to cause chaos in the state and rob him of his present popularity.
khalid,they ddnt say dat muslim students are not allowed there,but the hijab.In future, the govt will still impose other muslim cultures in the school,since they are the govt.
ReplyDeleteIt(Merging of the schools) is not a good idea AT ALL!!
ReplyDeleteNothing is wrong with Christian and Muslim studying together,, It will Unit this Children More,, They will learn to live with other religion in peace,,,,
ReplyDeleteBUT DIFFERENT DRESSING SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED,,, THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THEM FEEL DIFFERENT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
IF I POUNDS ON GOD EXISTENCE UNIMAGINABLE ONE WILL NOT CONCLUDED IT'S THOUGHT.I DON'T KNOW WHY GOD MAKES ME TO BE MUSLIMS(ISLAM)WHY I KNEW THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER MAN THOUGHTS AS WELL.MEANWHILE AS A MUSLIMS I ATTENDED CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS,THAT DOES NOT CHANGE ME NOR MAKES ME FEEL BETTER THAN MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS.HOWEVER SOUTHWEST IS THE MOST TOLERANCE REGIONS.AMONGST MY FAMILY WE HAVE CHRISTIAN EVEN MY FAMILIES MARRIED TO THE CHRISTIAN.UNLIKE NORTHERN PARTS OF NIGERIAN WHERE THEY ARE EITHER MUSLIMS OR CHRISTIAN.THIS IS WHAT IT'S CAUSING BOKO HARAM.ON SUNDAY WHEN CHRISTIAN CARRIED THEIR BIBLE GOING TO CHURCH I NEW WHAT'S MEANS,WHY WHEN MUSLIMS WERE GOING TO MOSQUE THE CHRISTIAN KNOWS WHAT IT'S MEANT.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the sense in merging a Christian and mosley school. Provide good learning environment and teach them the right thing and they will learn. Of course the governor knows they cannot exist together with different mentalities.
ReplyDeletePls tell me wat is wrong with hijab, is dat not wat merry d mother of Jesus was wearing? Is like u xtains dont value ur religion at all, d Bible will say one tin and u guys wl do d complete oposit in d nameof civiliztion. I call it complex
ReplyDeleteThis merger in particular (Muslim attend Baptists school) is the foundation laied to create and evalasting problem in the school if not now in very near future.
ReplyDeleteIf the school have a church or prayer ground in the school premises, the Muslim would want to build a mosque. If there are not allowed they will call it JIHAD. Next thing they will invite Chadian and Nigerien to launch Boko Haram. THAT WILL BE THE TIME BOMB the Gov want to plant. Pls a stitch in time saves nine. May Gov. not allow this end-time policy to result into harming the Xtians in Jesus name ...Amen.
Interestingly every picture of mary you see she's wearing a veil (hijab). Its everywhere in your churches and homes!!! Don't you have eyes?! Jesus and his disciples grew beards! Are you guyz blind? Joseph the carpenter too had beards. ΨђåƮ exactly is wrong with you people? Christianity is fake! No christian is following the teachings of christianity. You are all a bunch of hypocrites following your whims and carprices! Wallahi Islam is the only way to Salvation. Accept it before it's too late. Don't be deceived!!!
ReplyDeleteGov Rauf tread it softly. Religion is sensitive. If you fail, a better alternative is in the making. Watch.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm Aregbe I ℓν̲̣̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ all †Ñ’ξ good works Ʊ were doing in Osun but nah dis school stuff Ʊ take spoiled A̶̲̥̅♏ ÅΩ̴̴̩̩̩̥̩ð I heard dat So many people have advice you about it but Ʊ refused 2listen to dem.wit dis sir Ʊ ar reducing urSelf M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ advice 4ogbeni iS̶̲̥̅ if he can't Add any positive value to school system of Osun he can left them †Ñ’ξ way it was before Ʊ came in as our Governor wit dis we still love Ʊ but try ÅΩ̴̴̩̩̩̥̩ð make ammendmemt b4 it iS̶̲̥̅ too late
ReplyDeleteThis is the problem with islamic radicals ... whenever they get to a position of power they start causing divisions. Islam can grow on its own ...you dont have to wipe out christian values to do that. When christiaans were in power in osun muslims and their values were respected and not threathened in any way. But since he got to power he has created divisions in many ways . A keen observer knows that Aregbesola has an islamiic agenda and he is not hiding it. But he will not succeed. Why not create a new muslim school or take the pupils to the many muslim schools all around the state.
ReplyDeleteCan't we, just understand that religion is the search for God not God, we should not impose one's belief on others all in the name of religion. The basic thing is to develop the educational sector and leave this so called merger.
ReplyDelete