The Christian Affiliation of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed displeasure with the directives by the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi states mandating the closure of all private and non-private colleges for as much as 5 weeks to look at the Ramadan quick, efficient from late February to early April 2025.
In a press release on Sunday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, mentioned, “Whereas we honour the non secular range of our nation and recognise the importance of religion, these choices elevate critical problems with fairness, academic continuity, and the welfare of all residents, no matter their non secular beliefs.”
Okoh, who recognised schooling as a basic proper and the bedrock of progress, lamented that the closure of colleges throughout these states, starting from nursery to tertiary ranges, for an prolonged interval disrupts educational schedules and threatens the tutorial development of thousands and thousands of scholars.
Okoh identified that the states that issued the directives already face alarming charges of out-of-school youngsters, averaging 44 % in accordance with current information, far exceeding the nationwide common.
He mentioned such extended breaks danger deepening the disaster, undermining efforts to make sure entry to high quality schooling for all.
The CAN president lamented that the obvious lack of broad session in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi previous to the directives is troubling, including that the CAN management in these states was not adequately engaged, regardless of claims of stakeholder involvement.
He mentioned insurance policies impacting numerous populations (Muslims, Christians, and others) demand clear, inclusive dialogue with mother and father, educators, non secular leaders, and faculty proprietors, stressing that the absence of such engagement erodes belief and unity in a pluralistic society.
He mentioned, “Globally, nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—the place Islam is central and Ramadan is deeply revered—don’t shut down colleges for the whole fasting interval. As an alternative, they adapt schedules, shortening hours or providing flexibility, to steadiness schooling with non secular apply. If these Islamic heartlands can preserve this equilibrium, Nigeria’s northern states ought to try for related pragmatism. A month-long closure, or 5 weeks in Bauchi’s case, is extreme and departs from wise precedent.”
Okoh urged the folks of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi (Christians, Muslims, and all residents) to stay calm and peaceable “as we tackle this matter.”
He reiterated CAN’s dedication to selling concord throughout faiths and urged members and the general public to keep away from actions that might heighten tensions.
Okoh said that the group couldn’t overlook the potential violation of the rights of scholars and households who don’t observe Ramadan, nor the damaging sign the directives ship for equitable governance.
“We subsequently request that Governors Bala Mohammed, Dikko Umar Radda, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Nasir Idris open channels of dialogue with key stakeholders—non secular our bodies, faculty homeowners, mother and father, and civil society—to reassess these directives and pursue inclusive options. Transparency is crucial, and we count on these governments to behave in good religion by promptly participating all events. The schooling of our youngsters and the unity of our states are at stake.
“Ought to these rights face additional jeopardy or dialogue fail to ship justice, CAN is ready to hunt authorized recourse. We’ll pursue restraining orders by way of the courts to safeguard the constitutional rights to schooling and freedom of conscience. Our pursuit of peace doesn’t diminish our dedication to justice,” he mentioned.
He referred to as for unity to forge a society the place religion and progress harmonize, the place no little one’s schooling is compromised, and the place each neighborhood is valued.
“We urge the governors to rethink these insurance policies within the spirit of equity and nationwide cohesion. Could God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
