Bill to establish Christian education centre passes second reading

A bill seeking to establish an institution known as the National Centre for Christian Education passed into second reading.

The proposed legislation was sponsored by the representative of Adamawa South Senatorial District, Binos Yaroe.

It seeks to regulate and set standards acceptable to the practice of Christianity in the country.

Yaroe said the “inappropriate practice” of religions in the country has caused problems in the past.

Contributing to the debate, Istifanus Gyang, representative of Plateau North Senatorial District, said wrongly practised religion has bred extremism.

Gyang said: “We don’t have to suspect ourselves across religious divides.

“Rather, we need to understand, respect ourselves, our peculiarity and reality.

“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.”

Also speaking, the representative of Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, said the bill is “apt” owing to the fact that some youths have been manipulated by extremist religious leaders.

Moro said: “There is no gainsaying that part of the problem we have in some parts of the country is the inappropriate explanation of the Bible and the Quran.”

The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Lawan referred the bill to the committee on education for further legislative input.