Bible-carrying Protesters Storm Osun School, Deny Pupils, Teachers Entrance

Bible-carrying Christians, including members of Osun Baptists Conference in Osun State, have protested the attempt by the state government to merge Muslim students wearing hijab with the Baptists High School, Iwo in the new education policy introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola's administration.

Aggrieved Christians armed with Holy Bibles and hymn books trooped to the school as early as 7:30am and dislodged all students from the school. They also prevented teachers from entering the school premises.

They argued that the schools merger, if allowed to succeed, would obliterate the Baptist heritage, saying hijab wearing would never be allowed in school founded by Christian missionaries.

The Christian protesters defied the presence of heavily armed security operatives and insisted that they would not allow the merger to work. The security agents were civil in handling the situation and this prevented the protest from becoming violent.

The Presiding Minister for the 35 Baptist churches in Iwo land, Rev. Bayo Ademuyiwa, said: “Our forefathers and missionaries sacrificed their lives, resources and everything to establish schools, reputable schools with morals and values and that is why the Baptists in Iwo land are here to protect our schools.

“Without any doubt, the Baptists in the state are known for excellence, decorum and dignity. These virtues are highly cherished by the Nigerian Baptist Convention and this is the reason why the Baptists are making these two submissions which are: “Baptists in Iwo Land say no to merger of schools and Baptists in Iwo Land say no to the use of hijab in Baptists schools.

“While we welcome genuine efforts to provide modern infrastructures and equipments in schools in Osun State,  the Baptists see merger of schools as a step in the wrong direction as it will rob us of our identity and bring more pains to parents and students."

The Chairman, Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, added: "We have maintained this stand from inception and we will continue to defend lawfully what belong to us as Christians in the state.”

“As a major stakeholder in the state, the leadership of CAN expects the state government to invite us to discuss this issue and other related one without delay. We wish to explain it clearly that at no time has the new leadership of CAN in Osun held any meeting with the state government on the issue of merger of schools."

But the governor in a statement issued by the by the Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, assured all quarters of benefiting from the ongoing re-classification and reform exercise.

Source: Dailytimes