ABUJA—The
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, hinged its allegation of
islamisation of Osun State against Governor Rauf Aregbesola on a security
report by the Department of State Services, DSS, which the body claimed
indicted the governor over the issue.
According
to CAN, the DSS report dated March 19, 2012 to the Chief of Army Staff stated
in part: “There are indications that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is
nursing the ambition of islamizing the state. Already, he has taken control of
the Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen Society of Nigeria, TA’AWUN, now spearheading
the use of hijab in public schools in the state and serving as bodyguards to
the governor and making frantic efforts to dislodge conventional security
operatives from the Government House.”
General
Secretary of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake, who made the observation also alluded to
several reports in the dailies against the governor, which he said were yet to
be denied.
Asake
spoke to newsmen in Abuja, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing
reclassification policy of public schools, which he described as ‘ill
mannered’.
He
noted that apart from the governor being accused of creating something similar
to Boko Haram, there were strong indications pointing directly to the fact that
Aregbesola was pursuing islamization agenda.
First
was the Islamic bond (SUKUK), an investment instrument of about N11.4billion
that was taken in December 2012 by the governor against wise counsel in an
effort to change the identity of Christian schools.
“The
implication of this is yet to be known. Taking an Islamic loan called sukuk in
the name of a state with plural religion in a secular country like Nigeria can
only mean that one religion is favoured above the other,” he said.
On
reclassification of public schools, the CAN scribe said: “By this
reclassification schools like Baptist Girls Secondary School now has boys sent
to it and Moslem girls in the school can now continue their agitation for the
wearing of hijab as the uniform will be changed. The confusion that will ensue
can be better imagined than experienced.
Asake
further noted “with grave concern the governor’s love and open support for
idolatry, we were all shocked to hear his declaration of a public holiday
(Isese Day), set aside to celebrate the ancient idols of the land, Obatala,
Sango, Yemoja, Ogun, etc, to which he credited the peace and tranquillity
prevailing in the state.
“On
the issue of Ifa, we in CAN believe that its introduction is a superb
confrontation of tradition, modernity and religion. Why Ifa in this century?”
It will be recalled that the Osun State chapter of CAN in a letter to the governor by its Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, dated October 9, issued seven days ultimatum to the state government, started from Friday last week, said failure to stop the new education policy would be met with “appropriate actions.”
CAN
will appreciate our efforts later—Osun govt
Responding to the allegations yesterday, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Osun State’s Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy said; “We in Osun are not interested in joining issues with CAN either at the National or state level because we are convinced that in the final analysis, CAN will come back to salute the courage of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to give Osun and indeed, Nigeria, one of the best solutions to salvage the nation’s rotten educational standard. We are consoled by the fact that no Nigerian, no matter how uninformed he is, is happy with the state of education at all levels. This is the trend Osun is striving to arrest.
“We
must however remind CAN that the so-called DSS report which it is referring to
never existed. For CAN to make reference to that imaginary report more than a
year after is an indication that those working against the interest of the
people of Osun and this administration have exhausted their arguments and are
now clinging to just anything to sustain their campaigns of calumny.
“It is for the same reason we believe that CAN would want to demonise the Sukuk bond, another financial instrument to accelerate development in the state. The Sukuk bond is a veritable avenue to assess capital to develop our state. In name, it only sounds Islamic but it has all the conventional bond characteristics.
“We
are convinced that the leadership of CAN should rather bother about the use to
which the bond will be put rather than the nomenclature and the seeming Islamic
outlook of it.
Are
the beautiful schools of the highest standards now emerging in Osun not sources
of joy to pupils, parents and other stakeholders? Are the schools reserved for
pupils who are of any particular faiths? The answers are no!
“We
must also add that nothing happens in Osun without it being a product of a well
thought out plan. The declaration of Isese Day is in line with democratic
tenets which provides choices for all to practice their faith without any
hindrance.
“Can
we be so hypocritical to the point of denying the existence of those who
subscribe to these beliefs? Aregbesola does not hide his religious inclination
as a Muslim but he also has the responsibility to protect the rights of people
of other faiths.
“This
is part of the essence of his oath to defend and be fair and just to all
constituents.
Once again, we seek the understanding of all, CAN inclusive, to look at the merits of the ongoing reforms which are already putting joy in the minds of the innocent young ones who are more than ever before assured of better future.
“We
are sure that the body of Christians can never wish to stand in the way of
reforms which bring progress. Only desperate politicians would seek to halt
development if that is what it requires to get power. Our Christian leaders
cannot afford the label of being tools in the hands of political warlords who
would rather prevent reforms and progress if it serves their selfish political
ends.”
Vanguard Reported.
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