We Are Known For Excellence And Dignity!We Say No To Merger Of Schools!! Baptists Members Tell Aregbesola

Christians in Osun State, especially members of the Osun
Baptists Conference, on Monday protested against the
attempted merger of Muslim students wearing hijab with
the Baptists High School, Iwo, under the new education
policy introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola last week inaugurated a new education policy
in Osun, which the governor said had necessitated re-
classification and merger of public schools in the state to
reflect the new education system.

The governor, who expressed worry about the protest,
however, urged the people to cooperate with the school
restructuring, saying the policy was introduced as part of
transformation of the education sector by his government.
Aggrieved Christians armed with Holy Bible and Hymn
books trooped to the Baptists High School as early as
7:30am and dislodged the students and prevented teachers
from entering the school premises.
They said that the merger of the schools, if allowed to
succeed, would obliterate the Baptist heritage and that they
would not allow hijab-wearing students in a school founded
by Christian missionaries.
The Christian protesters defied the presence of armed
security operatives and insisted that they would not allow
the merger to work.
Presiding minister for the 35 Baptist churches in Iwo land,
Rev. Bayo Ademuyiwa, said the church had nothing against
the government's attempt to equip schools in the state but
he said that the church would not allow any attempt to
erase its identity and heritage.
He said, "Our forefathers and missionaries sacrificed their
lives, resources and everything to establish schools,
reputable schools with morals and values and that is why
the Baptists in Iwo land are here to protect our schools.
"Without any doubt, the Baptists in the state are known for
excellence, decorum and dignity. These virtues are highly
cherished by the Nigerian Baptist Convention and this is the
reason why the Baptists are making these two submissions
which are, "Baptists in Iwo land say no to merger of schools
and Baptists in Iwo land say no to the use of hijab in Baptists
schools.
But the governor, in a statement by his media aide, Semiu
Okanlawon, allayed the fears , promising that the interest
of all groups, organisations, religious and social bodies
would be protected in the ongoing re-classification and
reform.
Source: Punch