*As cleric raps govt on grazing reserves plan

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, yesterday dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government was in the process of stopping the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, in primary and secondary schools in the country.

The governor, who spoke while addressing the 90th General Church Council, GCC of Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN in Jos, said many clerics had approached him on the issue and urged those spreading the rumour to stop as such was doing more harm than good to the polity.

According to him: “Constitutionally, the issue of Primary school education is completely the responsibility of state and local governments, so if somebody is bringing it at the federal level, I don’t think is for Plateau State. I doubt if in our madness we would want to change the curriculum that has built and made us responsible.”

He called on spiritual leaders and members of the church to continue to pray that the peace being experienced in the state be sustained. He also appealed to the church to partner with government in fighting the ills of the society.

Earlier, President of COCIN, Rev. Dachollom Datiri, urged Northern state governors not to engage in any policy aimed at undermining the rights of its citizens, warning that the proposed Religious Preaching bill by the Kaduna State government, was a bad omen that should be rejected by all peace loving citizens.

The cleric stressed that the constitution of Nigeria did not discriminate against any religion and the move by the Kaduna State government to restrict or regulate preaching was clearly a breach of the fundamental human rights of Christians.

He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at tackling insecurity and corruption in the country, but lamented that “while the scourge of Boko Haram has slightly abated, brutal attacks by Fulani herdsmen have claimed hundreds of innocent lives in several parts of the country causing a national outcry.”

Speaking on the ongoing fuel crisis and the proposed grazing reserves, he noted that “citizens have been battling the fuel crises, in the midst of this unbearable situation, Nigerians  were slammed with the deregulation pronouncement. While it is being argued that this will help end the perennial fuel crisis, is this not portraying a level of insensitivity on the part of government?

”What measures have been put in place to cushion the effects of deregulation? It is shameful that Nigeria is having to go through such unbearable experiences when our country is a major producer of crude oil.

“Nigerian lawmakers must appreciate the weight of trust and responsibility bestowed on them by the electorate. They must work for equity and defend the common people against those who would oppress and take advantage of others. The idea of grazing reserves is barbaric. We must reject this move aimed at keeping some people perpetually dominated.”