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By Stephen Adeleye.
Kogi Government has described as “mischievous and untrue” the allegation that it attempts to Islamise Christian missionary schools, being peddling on social media.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, made the clarification at a meeting she held with leaders of Anglican Diocese and other stakeholders in her office in Lokoja.
“We want to use this opportunity to clarify the misconceptions by some mischievous elements, who claimed that Gov. Yahaya Bello is attempting to Islamise missionary schools in Kogi.
“In fact, it is mischievous, not correct and should not be taken serious; Kogi government either as a way of policy or executive has never at anytime insinuated anything in that direction.
“I do not know where they got that information from, but in my nine months as being the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, that idea has never existed,” Osikoya said.
According to her, His Excellency respects the right of people to their believes and that is why he always advocates for tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
“Equally, one of the resolutions at the 63rd National Council on Education is to have a clear and separate curriculum for Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and Islamic Religious Studies (IRS).
“There is a separate curriculum for CRS and IRS, and federal government is implementing that in the 2018/2019 academic session which will be used in Kogi state,” she said.
Osikoya, therefore, assured the religious community that there was no effort by Gov Bello’s Administration to marginalise any religious group whatsoever, as far as education is concerned.
She noted that the meeting was convened due to a written petition from Anglican Diocese Lokoja, requesting for government’s intervention on a case of encroachment by an NGO associated with Nigerian Police in their classrooms.
She added that the case was being resolved amicably, saying that it was not in anyway insinuating that government through any policy action was trying to take over any school premises.
Mr Ndalaye Suleiman, the Chairman, Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said the issue was a matter of misunderstanding between the two parties, adding they have been cohabiting peacefully for years.
Mr Okey Achinigbo, the Chairman, Estate Committee of Anglican Communion, Lokoja Diocese, said they were invited by the commissioner to resolve a pending issue of encroachment in one of their lands by Police for the past five years.
“The meeting was very successful because the area we thought would bring conflict, did not. So, it is a matter that will be resolved amicably between both parties,” Achinigbo said.
(NAN)
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