Worry over perceived Islamisation of Osun State – CAN

THE recent decision by the Osun State government to merge Muslim students with their Christian counterparts in missionary schools is generating serious concerns from certain quarters. While Christians in the state have staged series of protests to condemn the act, with some of the schools shut down, the national body of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is alleging that the move is a ploy by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to Islamise the state.

In a statement in Abuja, the General-Secretary of CAN, Dr Musa Asake said the move by Aregbesola was part of a grand plan to systematically silent Christians in the state.

He said if the decision by the state government was not reversed, the Christian body (CAN) will do all within its powers to resist such moves.

Dr Asake further alleged that the plans to Islamise Osun state were not peculiar to the education sector alone. He questioned a recent loan purportedly secured by the state government from an Islamic Bank.

According him, "We've been following the events in Osun state.

To get to this point where they're trying to bring some Muslims to mix them with Christian students is a ploy. There is no pretence about it and we are going to resist it. I totally disagree that the Islamisation of Osun state is not peculiar to the education sector alone. They've an agenda.

"If you follow the event in that state and the way the governor is going about doing his own things, he has an agenda. Why is he particular about Christian schools? If he really wants to promote education in that state, why can't he build other schools? Why is he particular about Christian schools? We Christians can no longer fold our hands and allow them do what they want."

Dr Asake accused current and previous governments of intentionally ignoring the plight of Christians. He said Christians have been reduced to second class citizens in their own country.

He said: "Forty years ago, under the supervision of a Christian minority head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, someone, somewhere brought the idea that mission schools should be taken over. Now watch! 40 years later, under the supervision of another Christian minority president, Goodluck Jonathan, Almajiri schools have been introduced.

"The school is strictly for Muslim children. These people are never concerned about the Christians. After they took over missionary schools, they've not introduced Almajiri schools. They've placed Christians as second and third class citizens.

"This time around, we will not allow it happen in Osun state. Its a ploy to tarnish the entire educational system by bringing the mix up. There is an agenda behind it. At this time around, we cannot just sit down and watch. We are following the events. CAN chapter in Osun state is working hard and we are following. At the appointed time, the National CAN will react seriously.

"The Christians in the state have closed down the schools and my word to the state chapter of CAN is that they must not relent. They must not allow it happen. The governor was elected by both Christians and Muslims. For him to pay attention to the only the welfare of Muslims, its absolutely unfair."