By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has promised to champion the cause for the re-introduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) in public primary and secondary schools across Nigeria.
Unless the mindsets of present day generation are changed for the better, a re-orientation will be an exercise in futility without bringing them to the knowledge and understanding of their creator, Babangida said, adding that that is why he has agreed to lead the crusade to prevail on the federal and states governments to include knowledge of the two major religions, Islam and Christianity in public primary and secondary schools curriculum.
The former military leader said: “Introducing religious knowledge in their foundational level is the only way we can change the society for the better”.
Babangida who spoke when he granted audience to the Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, stated that with the increase in crime, criminalities and other societal ills caused by the negative influence of social media especially amongst present day children, it has become necessary to evolve strategies to check moral decadence in them which can only be achieved through the re-introduction of the CRK and IRK in their formative stage.
The former President told the CAN delegation who were on an advocacy visit to his hilltop residence that there is the need for Nigeria to go back to the teachings of religious knowledge in schools so that the children will be groomed into becoming responsible citizens.
While commending the Niger State Chapter of CAN for their efforts in ensuring that good morals were inculcated in the lives of youths by championing the cause for the introduction or religious knowledge in public schools, the elder statesman said he will be ready to take the lead for a better society.
“I can see that you are making a lot of efforts in trying to bring back the right morals and religious knowledge in our society. This is the only way we can change our society, by teaching Christian and Islamic Religious Knowledge and other subjects to promote the right morals in our public schools".
Babangida however noted thus, “It may not be easy, but I know it is what this country needed at the moment. We need to go back to what it used to be especially in the teachings of the two major religious knowledge in our foundational schools ”.
Going through the memory of his formative days in the secondary school in the 50s and 60s, General Babangida said Christians and Muslims prayed and played together in love and unity, adding that 'religious knowledge was one factor that shaped the society in my growing days but somehow as a nation, we missed it somewhere along the line'.
“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. I believe this government will be very interested in issues that can help us in bringing about 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.
The State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna had earlier told their host that the leadership of CAN visited him to formally introduce themselves, get counsels as well as draw from his wealth of experience as an elder statesman.
Yohanna who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Catholic Church Diocese, however described General Babangida as one who genuinely believed in the one indivisible, united and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political differences.
The CAN chairman who also prayed for the sound health and long life of Babangida, said, “One major worry we have as a body is the future of our children and that is why we are doing all we can to curtail any form of restiveness and to ensure that we inculcate in our youths good morals for a better society".
He said, “We believe that through the religious teachings, we can inculcate good morals in our children, tackle insecurity and put an end to youth restiveness”.
Recall that there have been growing concerns about the refusal of Niger state government to re-introduce CRK in public primary and secondary schools.
The issue which has generated ill feelings among key stakeholders in government and private circles brought about many Christians and retired CRK teachers volunteering to take up the subject with or without pay.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent also learnt that proposals have been submitted to the Niger state government to consider and approve the re-introduction of religious knowledge in public primary and secondary schools. NNL.
