Northern Nigerian Christians of the Kanuri-Fulani stock have lamented their ordeal, saying they are “the most marginalised, oppressed and maltreated” in the country.

The lamentation was made yesterday in the country’s capital, Abuja, by a delegation of the Tarayyamasihiyawan Nijeriya which visited the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Leader of the delegation, General Dikko, said: “We are predominantly in Borno, Bauchi, Kebbi, Katsina and in other core northern states in the country. We are the most marginalised, oppressed and maltreated in this country. In places of employment and promotion, you hardly find anyone of us in exalted offices.

“When it comes to employment, we are the most marginalised. We have more than 1,400 university graduates. When you go these states, you can hardly find permanent secretaries and commissioners in these states who are Christians.

“Admissions in schools run by states in northern Nigeria, we are being discriminated against. We don’t benefit from scholarship programmes. If you apply as an individual or a church to get a land, state governments in these states ensure that we are frustrated.

“Our places are being taken over by state governments. When they take over, they don’t compensate. Sponsorship to Israel for pilgrimage is zero. State governments in these core northern states do not sponsor us, where as they sponsor people to Saudi Arabia. These things I am telling you are not being done in the open.

“The new Almajiri system of education is for Muslim children. We cannot go these schools and our children are not allowed to go there.”

Oritsejafor in his response sympahised with Tarayyamasihiyawan Nijeriya and made a personal donation of N2 million to it. He condemned their ordeal and came down hard on the Boko Haram terrorist group whose activities have made life more difficult for northern Christians.

Oritsejafor’s words: “Boko Haram started as a group with the aim to Islamize Nigeria. They have caused a lot of damages. It is a disgrace to the entire African Continent and at the right time, God will expose the sponsors of this group.”

Continuing, the CAN President said: “I did not even know that you existed. That is why today, I feel so happy to know that you exist. I am a human being and every human being needs encouragement. I am one of the most misunderstood persons in Nigeria today. My desire is for the peace and oneness of Nigeria.

“But the Nigeria we are talking about must be such that everyone is equal. It should be a place where people are not judged by their religion. We should be judged by the contents of our hearts. With your presence, that Nigeria is possible.

“As the President of CAN, I promise you that whatever I can do, I will do my best to ensure that we have a level-playing ground for everyone.

“Sometimes, I am troubled when I hear of civil rights groups and I wonder if they really know what is happening in this country. If they do, they should check out some of the issues raised here. I throw this challenge to them. They should take up this challenge.”

•Photo shows CAN President Oritsejafor.