Senate considers bill seeking to establish Christian centre ‘to tackle extremism’

The senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish an institution known as the National Centre for Christian Education.

The legislation sponsored by Binos Yaroe, senator representing Adamawa south, seeks to “regulate and set standards” acceptable to the practice of Christianity in the country.

Yaroe said the “inappropriate practice” of religions in the country has caused problems in the past.

Contributing to the debate, Istifanus Gyang, senator representing Plateau north, said wrongly practised religion has bred extremism.

“We don’t have to suspect ourselves across religious divides. Rather, we need to understand, respect ourselves, our peculiarity and reality,” Gyang said.

“Religion as wrongly practised is what has bred extremism and hate but rightly practised, religion can be a source of strength and national cohesion.

“This is where the place of a commission that will develop a curriculum for Christian education is very necessary.”

Also speaking, Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, said the bill is “apt” owing to the fact that some youths have been manipulated by extremist religious leaders.

“There is no gainsaying that part of the problem we have in some parts of the country is the inappropriate explanation of the Bible and the Quran,” the senator said.

The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Lawan referred the bill to the committee on education for further legislative input.