Ramadan: Reconsider decision on schools’ closure, Catholic Bishops tell northern governors 

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Catholic Bishops under the umbrella of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have asked the governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi and Kano states, to reconsider their decision on closure of schools, public and private, for the one month period of Ramadan.

CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, in a statement, on Monday, asked the governors to explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

He also called on the Federal Government to intervene, and ensure that the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of their faith or background, are protected.

He said: “We express deep concern over the recent declaration by some governors in northern Nigeria to close schools for five weeks during the Ramadan period.

“This decision, which affects not only Muslim students but also Christian students and Christian-owned schools, raises serious questions about the secular nature of our country and the rights of all citizens.”

He made reference to Section 10 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution which stated the Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. “This provision underscores the secular nature of our country and guarantees the freedom of all citizens to practise their faith without hindrance.

“As emphasised in our pastoral letter, the Church and the Nigerian State (2012), the Nigerian state is secular, and this secularity is not a mere declaration; it is a fundamental principle that must guide all aspects of our national life.

“Furthermore, the universal declaration of human rights (Article 26) and the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (Article 13) emphasizes the right to education as a fundamental human right, hence the closure of schools for an extended period undermines this right and jeopardises the education and future of millions of Nigerian children,” he said.

Archbishop Ugorji, however, stated that the CBCN was particularly concerned about the impact of the decision on the already alarming rate of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria making reference to UNESCO report that indicated that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with over 10 million children not attending school.

“The decision of these northern governors will not only exacerbate this crisis, but will undermine efforts to improve education outcomes in the region, hence our call for the reversal of the decision.

“We pray that our leaders will prioritise the education and well-being of all Nigerian children, regardless of their faith or background, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all,” he said.