- Enjoins government to see Church as partner in policy formulation
- Says Church ready to collaborate to tackle insecurity
Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo has called on the Oyo State government to return Catholic schools taken over by the State in the 1970s without any compensation. The prelate made this call while addressing a press conference on Tuesday at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Oyo, Oyo State. He charged government to partner with the Church in policy formulation, especially as concerns education. Bishop Badejo said, “We reiterate our call for return of Catholic Schools taken over by the State. “
This would effectively widen the reach of missionary service, restore ethics in our education system, check delinquency and moral degradation, crime and other social vices and therefore benefit everyone, irrespective of tribe or religion. “Similarly, we appeal to the government to see the Church as a partner in the formulation of policy, especially in education. This can enable the Church to provide a foundation for moral and ethical principles, which will infuse in the academic curriculum, such values as respect for the sanctity of human life, compassion, honesty and integrity.”
According to him the Church, being deeply embedded in local communities, can provide valuable support to schools through volunteer programmes, mentoring and extracurricular activities and thereby promote a sense of belonging, of community cohesion and multiculturalism. He stated that this kind of cooperation can enrich the educational experience and nurture well-formed individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to the society. “The return of schools to faith-based organisations will require substantial political will, given the conflict of interests in our society, but will more than compensate for the effort by aiding qualitative education and a value-based system that promotes ethical and moral regeneration which will affect all other areas of national and societal life, ” Bishop Badejo stated.
Decrying the security situation in Nigeria which he described as still being characterised by various challenges, including insurgency intercommunal violence, kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry in different parts of the country; he commended the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde and his government for the bold steps taken to achieve the relative security and peace being currently enjoyed in Oyo State especially by equipping and keeping active the State Security outfits particularly the Amotekun corps. While also lauding the quick response of the government and the security agencies, to the explosion which caused deaths and destruction in Bodija area of Ibadan a few weeks ago and the more recent invasion of the Oyo State Secretariat by so-called Yoruba nation agitators, Bishop Badejo expressed displeasure at the demolition of the property where the declaration of State takeover was allegedly made.
He querried, “Whatever happened to the rule of law and the educational, historical value which such an edifice could serve, even if the owner could have been found guilty after prosecution? The high ranking clergy called for the prosecution of the suspects of both incidents in accordance with the rule of law. Bishop Badejo enjoined the state government to to do more in the area of surveillance, security of lives and property. He remarked, “Kidnapping for ransom and killings persist, especially in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, even until a mere three days ago. Thankfully, the victims of the latest kidnapping around Lanlate have reportedly been rescued. “Such occurrences threaten to rubbish the good work of government if not urgently curbed. In this regard, we demand that the abductors of Mr. Irenaeus Ogunbayo who murdered him just a week ago around Iwere Ile in Iwajowa Local Government be brought to book. “
Same must be said for bandits who attack farmers in their farms in that area and thus endanger food security in the State. “A situation whereby the police claim helplessness when called upon to intervene in crime is simply unacceptable in a democratic society. “Tough security concerns need a more comprehensive approach involving collaboration between government agencies, traditional and community leaders and other stakeholders, including the Church. “
The Catholic Church in Ibadan Archdiocese and Oyo Diocese of Oyo State, through its Justice, Peace and Development Movement is well trained and disposed to collaborate with the State in enhancing security in rural Oyo State through joint efforts in community education and outreach activities, social empowerment education and the sharing of information and resources to prevent and resolve potential security threats. “Such collaboration can facilitate and promote initiatives that foster unity and understanding among diverse religious and ethnic groups inhabiting the State.”
