Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria opposes plans to create Christian education council

CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) officials have rejected plans for a proposed  bill to establish the National Council of Christian Education arguing that the suggestion violates sections 10 and 42(3) of Nigeria’s constitution.

As part of a plan to address the crisis in Nigeria's education sector, the Christian Association of Nigeria (Can) had asked that the National Assembly pass a bill promoting Christian education. However, the CBCN said it was opposed to such a law as it violates sections 10 and 42(3) of Nigeria’s constitution, which makes education secular.

Instead, CBCN has suggested that lawmakers promote legislation that decisively addresses unprovoked attacks on Christians across northern Nigeria, rather than promoting a bill that violates the secular character of Nigeria. CBCN president Archbishop Lucius Ugorji and its secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogu, issued a statement, saying they were not in support of segregated education.

This proposed bill, which seeks to develop, regulate and approve syllabuses/contents at all levels of Christian education, was sponsored by Hon Rimamde Kwewum, Hon Beni Lar, Hon Yusuf Tajudeen, Hon John Dyegh, Hon Solomon Bob and Hon Benjamin Mzondu. It was designed to certify Christian religion education instructors at basic and secondary levels and to approve the content of all Christian religion education in all schools and accredit programmes of Christian theological institutions.

This bill, the Catholic bishops lamented, made no exemption for seminaries and other religious institutes owned by the various Christian denominations across the federation, claiming that it infringed on their rights to provide instructions and formation according to their respective doctrines, citing Section 42 (3) of the 1999 constitution.