NIGERIA IS A SECULAR STATE…NOBODY CAN ISLAMISE IT – ADEBOYE

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has lent his voice to the growing concerns of Nigerians especially People of Christian faith over the lopsided educational policy of the federal Government of Nigeria that is forcing all students, both Islamic and non-Islamic, to take Islamic studies.

The world renowned Pastor and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has allegedly picked holes in this policy of the Nigerian government which says Christian religious Studies, CRK, should be removed from being a stand-alone subject and imbibed in other subjects as topics.

According to sources close to this “pastor of pastors”, removing Christian Religious Knowledge from schools Curriculum is against the ideals of any secular state the world over. He is said to have said this to a select audience at a forum recently but he did not issue strict warnings to the federal government concerning the issue even though he’s said to be very unhappy over the issue.

Meanwhile, Bishop Oyedepo we learnt is still very bitter about the development. The President of Living Faith Ministries Worldwide who is also one of the most influential pastors in the world last week issued a strong warning against the government of the day over the controversial introduction of Islamic Studies to schools’ curriculum and the merging of the Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) with other subjects. Bishop Oyedepo also warned against students of Christian backgrounds to offer Islamic Studies as this in itself is a form of intimidation.

We also gathered that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) is at the moment talking tough about the development and same met a couple of times during the week sending representation to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in order to express their grievances and seek proper clarification over the issue which is capable of causing religious tension in the country.

Also, fiery and controversial pastor and President of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide has also issued a strong warning to the federal government and Minister of Education saying “You cannot force our students to study Islamic Studies or Arabic Studies, ”In the same vein, the PFN, which is led by Rev Felix Omobude, has also expressed concerns about the development.

The PFN and top Christian Religious leaders across the country has written the presidency and the Minister of Education about its displeasure over the revised Basic Education Curriculum, especially the unnecessary collapse of Christian Religious Studies as part of an omnibus subject known as Religion and National Values.