Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has called on the federal and state governments to ensure the reintroduction of religious knowledge in public primary and secondary schools across the country.

The former Nigerian leader, while disclosing that there is hope for the future of the country, said, “It is the only way we can change society for the better.”

The elder statesman stated this when he played host to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, led by its state chairman, Most Rev. Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who was on a familiarisation visit to his Uphill mansion in Minna, the state capital, that there is a need for Nigeria to go back to the teachings of religious knowledge in schools.

It should be noted that the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK) in public schools in Niger State has been the topmost topical issue among various stakeholders, as it was gathered that proposals have been submitted to the state government.

Commending the state’s CAN for its effort in ensuring that morals were inculcated in the lives of youths, the elder statesman said he would be ready to champion the cause for a better society.

In his words: “I can see that you are making a lot of efforts in trying to bring back morals and religious knowledge in our society.

“This is the only way we can change our society by teaching Christian Religion Knowledge, Islamic Religion Knowledge and other moral subjects in our public schools.

“It may not be easy, but I know it is what this country needs at the moment. We need to go back to what it used to be, especially in the teachings of religious knowledge,” said IBB, as he was fondly called by Nigerians during his reign as Nigeria’s Military President.

General Babangida, while disclosing that, in his secondary school days during the ’50s and ’60s, Christians and Muslims prayed and played together in love and unity, stressed that “religious knowledge was one factor that shaped society in my growing days, but somehow as a nation, we missed it somewhere.”

Reassuringly, he said, “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.”

Pledging his unflinching support, General Babangida said, “I believe this government will be very interested in issues that can bring peace and good morals. You are doing it for society, and society automatically becomes the beneficiary. And when society benefits from it, then we have a better society.

“I am prepared, and I will be ready anytime for any good cause you have. I will be ready to speak to the President (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and the State Governor (Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago), and I can assure you that something will be done both at the national and state levels.”

Speaking earlier, the State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the leadership of CAN visited the former military president to formally introduce themselves, get counsel, and draw from his wealth of experience.

Most Rev. Dr. Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, described General Babangida as someone who believes in the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria irrespective of tribes, religion, or political differences.

According to him, “Your Excellency, sir, we see you as a father who gives great counsel to everyone that comes to you for a better Nigeria where everyone can live in love and cohabit peacefully.

“However, one major worry we have as a body is the future of our children. We are doing all we can to curtail any form of restiveness and to ensure we inculcate in our youth good morals for a better society.

“As such, one of the best strategies we believe in is to catch them young, especially in basic schools. We strongly want to appeal to you to join us in the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religion Knowledge (CRK) in the curriculum of all public primary and secondary schools across the state and the country.

“We believe that through the teachings, we can inculcate good morals in our children, tackle insecurity, and put an end to youth restiveness.”

Bishop Yohanna also disclosed that the state chapter of CAN has made several efforts, including submitting proposals to the government and hoping for positive action.

Furthermore, he assured the elder statesman that Christians all over the state are not relenting in praying for leaders both past and present, at the state and national levels, emphasising that “we also pray for our unity and peaceful coexistence not only as a state but as a nation in general, especially amongst adherents of both faiths.” (Nigerian Tribune)

•Ex-military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) and the Niger state CAN chapter chairman, Most Rev. Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna

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