Former military president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has recalled the unity among Nigerians in the past irrespective of religious differences and called for moral education.
General Babangida stated this when he received the leadership of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by the state chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who was on a familiarisation visit to his Hilltop House, Minna.
He reiterated the need for Nigeria to prioritise the teaching of religious knowledge in schools, adding that “it is the only way we can change the society for the better.”
“During the 50s and 60s, Christians and Muslims prayed and played together in love and unity religious knowledge was one factor that shaped the society in my growing days but somehow as a nation, we missed it somewhere,” he added.
While reacting to the request for the introduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in the schools in Niger State, IBB said, “I can see that you are making a lot of efforts in trying to bring back morals and religious knowledge in our society.”
He added, “This is the only way we can change our society, by teaching Christian Religious Knowledge, Islamic Religious 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.”
Babangida said, “I believe this government will be very interested in issues that can bring peace and good morals. You are doing it for the society, and the society automatically becomes the beneficiary. And when the society benefits from it, then we have a better society.
“I am prepared, and I will be ready anytime with any good cause you have. I will be ready to speak to the President (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and the State Governor (Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago) and I can assure you that something will be done both at national and states levels,” he pledged.
Earlier, Yohanna said the CAN leadership visited the former military president to formally introduce themselves, seek counsel, and draw from his wealth of experience.
Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, described General Babangida as someone who believes in Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence irrespective of tribe, religion, or political differences.
He said, “We strongly want to appeal to you to join us in the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in the curriculum of all public primary and secondary schools across the state and the country. We believe through the teachings, we can inculcate good morals in our children, tackle insecurity and end youth restiveness.”
