General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) | File Image
IBB: Introducing religious knowledge in their foundational level is the only way we can change the society for the better
By Mohammed Usman
Nigeria’s former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), is to champion the re-introduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) in public primary and secondary schools in the country.
IBB said that the re-introduction of the two subjects would curtail social vices in the country by changing the mindset of the present generation for the betterment of Nigeria.
Babangida made the promise while hosting the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its Chairman, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in his Minna country home.
He said, “Introducing religious knowledge in their foundational level is the only way we can change the society for the better.”
Babangida also said that the re-introduction would reduce crime, criminalities and societal ills caused by the negative influence of social media.
The former president told the CAN delegation who was on an advocacy visit to his hilltop residence that there was the need for Nigeria to go back to the teachings of religious knowledge in schools so that the children would be groomed into becoming responsible citizens.
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While commending the state CAN for 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 promised 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,” IBB said.
“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 the two major religion’s knowledge in our foundational schools,” he said.
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, had earlier told their host that the leadership of CAN visited to formally introduce themselves, get counsels and as well draw from his wealth of experience as an elder statesman.
Yohanna, who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese (Catholic), described General Babangida as one who genuinely believes in the one indivisible, united and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political differences.
Recall that there have been growing concerns about the refusal of Niger state government to reintroduce 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.
Our correspondent also learnt that proposals had been submitted to Niger state government to consider and approve the reintroduction of religious knowledge in public primary and secondary schools.
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