The governor stated this when he appeared on TVC’s Politics on Sunday.
He also clarified some aspects of the law seeking to regulate preaching in the state.
He said: “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”
Asked if it was out of fear of indoctrination, the governor said, “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying. We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”
The new directive first became public earlier in the month.
The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, adding that preachers had two months to obtain their licences.
Farooq said: “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.
“All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching.”
The secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state chapter, Raphael Opawoye, had said the Christian body was not aware of the ban.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” Opawoye had said.
However, an Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, had described it as an infringement on religious rights.
“The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion.
“The best thing for the government to do is to invite and penalise any preacher who incites the public in the cause of his preaching,” Siraja had said.
Vanguard News
Asked if it was out of fear of indoctrination, the governor said, “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying. We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”
The new directive first became public earlier in the month.
The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, adding that preachers had two months to obtain their licences.
Farooq said: “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.
“All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching.”
The secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state chapter, Raphael Opawoye, had said the Christian body was not aware of the ban.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” Opawoye had said.
However, an Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, had described it as an infringement on religious rights.
“The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion.
“The best thing for the government to do is to invite and penalise any preacher who incites the public in the cause of his preaching,” Siraja had said.
Vanguard News
Hahahahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteSeems like this Governor no get more pressing tasks at hand.
ReplyDeleteDodo.
Joblessness
ReplyDeleteWhat's this na?
ReplyDeleteIt's a good move. This will curb extreme teachings ( applicable to all religions). Well done sir!
ReplyDeleteNa wa ooooooo
ReplyDeleteNigerian politicians and majoring in the minor, he has nothing to do so he wants to cage critics
ReplyDeleteUmm isn’t this contrary to the doctrines of democracy??? Yea freedom of speech, freedom to worship.. sounds very authoritarian to me
ReplyDeleteOrisirisi!
ReplyDeleteChurch, don't sleep. Your enemy is not sleeping.
ReplyDeleteGo and ask that short former governor of kaduna how market when he start his own rubbish.
ReplyDelete👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺👺
ReplyDelete