A bill seeking to create a National Centre for Christian Education to regulate and set standards for the practice of Christianity in Nigeria has passed the second reading at the Senate.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Binos Yaroe, representing Adamawa South Senatorial District.
Yaroe claimed that the centre, when established, would aid in resolving the country’s “inappropriate practice” of religion, which according to him, had in the past, led to issues.
“We don’t have to suspect ourselves across religious divides. Rather, we need to understand, respect ourselves, our peculiarity and reality,” Gyang said.
“Religion as wrongly practised is what has bred extremism and hate but rightly practised, religion can be a source of strength and national cohesion.
“This is where the place of a commission that will develop a curriculum for Christian education is very necessary”, he further stressed.
Weighing in on the discussion, Senator Istifanus Gyang of the Plateau North Senatorial District, argued that improperly practised religion has fostered radicalism.
Gyang noted that religion could be a source of strength and national solidarity if followed properly, adding that the bill when established will create a curriculum for Christian education.
Senator Abba Moro, who also spoke, said the bill was ‘apt’ given that some youngsters had been duped by radical religious figures.
Moro maintained that the misinterpretation of the Quran and the Bible was a contributing factor to some of the nation’s problems.
Presiding over the debate, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, put the bill to a voice vote and it passed Second Reading, which was later referred to the Committee on Education for additional legislative input.
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