Nigeria is drifting gradually towards an Islamist state. Our leaders are so insensitive to the plights of the common man and they think at this point in time, we have to cause chaos and problems in this country.  All the religious adherents in this country have been living peacefully among one another but suddenly someone from nowhere will just decide to put the country in a position of instability.

As I know since I was young and till now, religion is a matter of conscience.  Everyone is free to believe in whatever he wants.  But what is happening these days, especially in Nigeria, calls for divine intervention. It appears we are being forced to accept a particular religion.  It is clearly stated in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution, that no religion is better or greater than the other. Nigeria is a secular state and the secularism must be respected. Christianity existed about 600 years before Islam came into being and the two religions have co-existed peacefully among the people. It is disgusting that religion has spread its wings through some elements to put the country into a state of anarchy.

In all religions that exist in Nigeria namely: Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion, there is an injunction which allows worshippers to observe fasting for the number of days stipulated in their holy books, so to say.  But it was not stipulated that you suspend economic and political activities while fasting.  What is so special about 2025 fasting that some governors in the Northern part of the country have to declare holidays for learners in all educational institutions especially primary and secondary schools?

Bauchi State’s decision to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan has sparked debate over the role of religion in education. Supporters cited cultural accommodation, while critics argued it prioritizes faith over learning. The controversy has reignited discussions on Sharia, secularism, and religious influence on governance across Nigeria. Bauchi State recently announced that it had scheduled a term break in alignment with the commencement of Ramadan. This has prompted discussions about the role of religious observances in academic planning.

The state’s Ministry of Education recently released the 2024/2025 academic calendar, outlining key dates for the second and third terms. According to the schedule, the second term began on January 6, 2025. It was set to run for 11 weeks, with a mid-term break from 1 March to 5 March, extending until April 6, when academic activities are expected to resume. In the document signed by the State Commissioner for Education, the “Approved School Calendar” clearly states that the holiday will begin on March 1 and end on April 5. This amounts to a five-week break. The timing of the break coincides with the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, leading to speculation about an extended school closure for religious reasons. The decision taken by the State has sparked reactions from various quarters, with concerns raised over the implications of prolonged school closures on academic performance.

However, Bauchi State Ministry of Education maintains that the changes in the academic schedule are part of a structured approach to balancing education with religious and cultural observances.

Critics argue that such scheduling prioritises religious observances over education, potentially affecting students in the long run. A State Government has closed down all schools for the next month because of Ramadan. This country isn’t designed to make it. Things like this will not happen in advanced world like America, Canada, China, Russia and France even in Mecca. 

Our leaders will continue to fly out of the country to seek for medical consultation in a foreign land that prioritizes work over religion. The University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan supposed to be rated the best in Africa but go there for medical attention they will tell you there is no light to carry out a laboratory test. But we continue to complain and cry that our economy is not friendly.  How will it be friendly, when all that we do is to politicise negatively. Fasting has no bearing with education.  We have seen and heard about Muslim football players who fast when they are to play football. They never suspended playing because of fast.  They fast and still play football because that is their source of livelihood.

Some have questioned whether similar considerations would be given to non-Muslim religious observances. It has always been alleged that Sharia law is not for non-Muslims, so how come non-Muslim alcoholic drink traders are having their goods destroyed in the North? Or will Sharia in the North be different from the one in the South? Call a spade a spade, please. Nigeria is a secular state. The government has a role to protect the rights of all citizens and safeguard individuals. These extremists pretend to be moral. Wait for them to start enforcing Sharia law, and you will understand that you are not even safe. Sharia hasn’t fully come, yet they are already beating Isese people.

Another reference point is how Isese practitioners were bullied in Ilorin.  A secular state means the state has no religion. But our politicians swear in either with the Qur’an or the Bible while not using their conscience. Nigeria is definitely going through the hard times.

It is a pity that those that are supposed to bail us out of a problem are the same people causing the problem. The Nigeria Constitution has being side-lined and things have really fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold. It is only God who can come to our aid.  It appears the issue of if someone slaps you in the right cheek turn the left to him will no longer work as Christ taught the Christians. It has changed to Lord, fight against those who fight against me, take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for my help. Draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. (Psalm 35: 1-3).

God Bless Nigeria!!!