MURIC Reveals How Lagos Govt Officials Lure Muslim Students To Church Programmes
By Abimbola Abdullahi
The Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the education authorities in Lagos State to desist from luring innocent and unsuspecting Muslim Students across the state to church programmes under the guise of fake humanitarian schemes.
Chairman, MURIC, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu Ademola, in a statement bemoaned the attitude of the officers of the ministry of education in luring students to the programmes through official invitation.
He said: “We are deeply worried by the incessant luring of innocent Muslim students to church programmes, particularly that of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. The programme, as reliably investigated, is sponsored by the cleric, who in conjunction with the officials of the Lagos State ministry of education, arranged the transportation of students to the venue. The students irrespective of their faiths are ferried to Christian programmes and deceived with gifts.
“This deceitful event has been on for more than five years. This year’s programme, which is slated for December 3, 2023 is coined as ‘Invitation to Host Students in Commemoration of Birthday of their Principal, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’ through a school named Teens Voice Academy Lagos.
“This is unbelievable and unspeakable of ministry officials directing principals of public schools in the six districts to arrange students for such an event. Where is the correlation? On whose directives is this happening? Is Pastor Oyakhilome now the owner of Lagos State public schools? LASG has sold out Lagos to Oyakhilome.
“Exempli gratia, a memo signed and distributed by one Mrs Oyegbile, K.O on behalf of TG/PS of District I, Agege, was circulated this week to school principals. According to the memo, four venues (Sango Senior, Keke Senior, Oba Sanni Komolafe Youth center and Palmtime Resorts) have been designated as meeting points for students to converge en route the venue. The circular also announced Mr Oladiti Oladele Olaitan as the programme coordinator whose contact (telephone number included) could be reached for any assistance.
“It is then crystal clear that the organizers and certain elements in the ministry, via educational districts are behind this programme to adulterate the faith of innocent Muslim children with Christian ideologies.
“To this end, MURIC strongly condemns the involvement of state paraphernalia in a pastor’s birthday celebration. It is hero-worshiping taken too far.
“LASG has no right whatsoever to use students of public schools for a private individual’s birthday program. While we object to using any student, whether Muslim or Christian for Oyakhilome’s party, we have serious objection to using a single Muslim student for same.
“The parents entrusted their children to LASG mainly for academic purpose, taking them out on evangelical jamboree is definitely not part of the deal. It is therefore gross abuse of trust to divert students’ attention to the birthday party of a pastor,” he stated.
He therefore called on the Lagos State Government, the State Ministry of Education and all Tutor Generals throughout the State to ensure that no single student of Lagos public schools is taken to Oyakhilome’s birthday programme.
