By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW-N) has commended the Governments of Niger and Katsina States for reintroducing Christian Religious Studies (CRS) subject in their public primary and secondary schools.
It described the actions of the two States as a welcome development that reflects a long-sought inclusivity and justice for all people of the States. “It will also help ensure greater freedom of worship in our societies”, CSW-N stressed.
In a press statement sent to our Correspondent by Reuben Buhari, the Research and press officer of CSW-N, it lamented that the teaching of CRS in public schools in most Northern States has been absent for years, despite repeated requests by religious bodies for its inclusion.
It stated that this development by the Governors of Niger State, Umaru Mohammed Bago and that of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, demonstrates their abilities to transcend religious partisanship, promote pluralism, foster inclusivity within a diverse society, and uphold fairness in everyone’s educational pursuits.
“CSW-N has been advocating for such religious tolerance and inclusivity in most Northern States, where Christian children lack opportunities to learn CRS in public schools.
“It has become a matter of concern that parents are compelled to send their children to private schools or to States where CRS is taught”, it observed.
“The actions of the two Governors uplift our spirits and those of millions of people praying for this change. CSW-N wholeheartedly applauds and commends the Governors of Niger and Katsina.
CSW-N urges other states in northern Nigeria, where CRS is not taught, to follow the commendable example set by these Governors and introduce CRS teaching to Christian students in public schools.
“Just as the NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, remarked that Governor Radda’s decision serves as a model for leaders in other parts of the country, CSW-N also believes that other leaders can emulate.
“CSW-N believes that including CRS in public schools in some Northern States where it is absent would be a vital step towards bridging religious divides and fostering religious harmony.
“This is because religious marginalisation in the north has historically been a catalyst for tension within our society”, it pointed out.
CSW-N therefore called on all leaders in States where CRS is not yet taught, to follow the positive example set by the Niger and Katsina State Governors including CRS in their public schools.
It could be recalled that recently, the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, reintroduced the teaching of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in primary and secondary schools across the state.
Four months earlier, the Governor of Niger State, Umaru Mohammed Bago, had also announced that the State Government would reintroduce Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in public schools throughout the state.
End.
