By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Christians in Nigeria yesterday called on authorities in some states in Northern Nigeria that enforced school closures for Ramadan to reopen such schools to children’s fundamental right to education.
The call was made in Abuja via a communique issued at the end of the 2025 first plenary of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria.
Recall that some Northern states ordered and enforced the closure of all schools in their state at the start of the Ramadan fast.
They said the closure enabled Muslims to concentrate on the fast of Ramadan.
The Catholic bishops demanded, among other things, that “those governments that ordered the closure of all schools in some parts of the country withdraw such order in the light of the rights of the children to education and the multi-religious nature of our society.”
The Church also urged Nigerians not to be passive but to participate in all elections and remain optimistic that Nigeria can improve.
“Despite disappointments in the conduct of the 2023 general elections, we still encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse and participate in future elections.
“We call for a strengthening of electoral laws and sincere execution of duties by state agents such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and the courts to restore trust in the electoral system. We urge our people to refuse to be cowed to silence and helplessness, but rather insist always on doing the right thing and having it done.”
The Church also charged the media with refraining from promoting negative news reportage to the detriment of balanced reportage. They say the media must be seen as a partner in Nigeria’s development.
It reiterated its rejection of capital punishment and called on correctional centres to do more in correction rather than punishment.
They also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant pardon to Sunday Jackson, whose conviction was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.
The Catholic Bishops praised the government for what they described as positive developments:
“Our nation has recently witnessed some positive development. These include the reinvigoration of the Petroleum Industry, the rehabilitation of some dilapidated roads and the construction of new ones across the nation, the introduction of the student loan scheme, the new minimum wage, and the reduction in the debt service-to-revenue ratio and the proposal for new tax regime.
“The Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 was a landmark in the history of prison services in Nigeria. It was a shift from the perception of the prison as a centre for retribution to a “correctional” facility with a focus on reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
“We commend some cheering strides made by governments at various levels to promote agriculture. We equally appreciate the efforts of some security operatives, who put their lives on the line to fight criminality and end their savagery. We pray for healing for the wounded and eternal life for the dead.
“Despite all these, our nation still has some serious challenges bordering on the harsh socio-economic situation, persistent insecurity, rising youth unemployment, and restiveness. There is a high cost of essential goods, including food. Cases of kidnapping and the mindless killing of innocent people still abound.”
The communique delivered by Most Rev Donatus Ogun, Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, stated that the Church was committed to Nigeria’s development.
“As a Church, we promote integral education, health care, and agriculture for individual and national development, and we require the enabling environment to play these roles, among others.
They also prayed for Pope Francis’s speedy recovery, who has been battling his health.
The conference was attended by several Bishops, including Bishop Lucius Ugorji, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Metropolitan Bishop of Abuja, the Papal Nuncio, Michael Francis, and several others.
