Oyo State government on Monday said it is currently investigating the visit of some Christian missionaries to some public schools in the state.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Abdulrahman Abdulraheem made this disclosure in Ibadan during a reception organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, (NACOMYO) for new Muslim Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, National Amirah of FOMWAN and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the state.
Dignitaries present at the event included Professor Rashid Aderinoye, Imam Habeebulahi Buhari and NACOMYO Coordinator, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi.
Recall that Muslims in the state had earlier raised an alarm that foreign missionaries attached to Evangelist Daniel Kolenda were going to pubic schools to preach Christianity to Muslim students.
Following the development, the Oyo State chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) cautioned the state’s Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and school principals.
The state government in a reaction has however said it was already investigating the matter.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, who spoke on behalf of the government on Monday, pledged that the case would not be swept under the carpet.
He added that thorough investigations were on to know how the team gained access into the schools without due process.
Abdraheem explained that measures had also been adopted to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
He said, “There has been an existing circular regarding religious activities in schools which we update from time to time. If there is any visitor to our schools, even if they want to donate materials there, after meeting the principals, they must get approvals from the Ministry before such visitors could address the students. We don’t allow students to interact with visitors without observing the protocols.
“The incident really baffled us in the Ministry and personally I have sleepless nights on the case and we have taken a lot of steps which I might not be able to reveal now but I am assuring you that the case will not be swept under the carpets. We must check such excesses. Though, both the Chairman and the Permanent Secretary of TESCOM are Christians but the truth is that they were not responsible for the incident. They are innocent regarding the matter.
“We will make necessary amendments and forgive us and we are assuring you that such will not happen again. When I saw their letter of apology, I was happy but when there was a report the following day of another visit, it really saddened my heart but we have taken different steps and you will soon see the result”.
Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Community, Kunle Sanni explained that causes being fought for were always for the generality of the Muslims and not for any selfish interest.
“We are not asking for any selfish things. None of my children is working with Oyo State Government to say that that is whom we are fighting for but for the generality of the Muslims. A Muslim who wakes up and does not wish for the progress of his fellow Muslims is not worthy of calling a Muslim”.
