The National Association of Proprietors of Arabic and Islamic Schools, NAPAIS has warned those it described as ‘meddlesome Interlopers’ to desist from interfering in the affairs of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, NBAIS.
This warning was made in a statement made available to OYOINSIGHT.COM on Wednesday, signed by the association’s President, Sheikh Muhammadu-Jamiu Abdulgafar, in reaction to a petition by Professor Kontein Trinya and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel.
This newspaper recalled that the petition had questioned the recent federal government formal policy validation of the NBAIS Certificate as equivalent of SSCE
In its response, the organization argued that the antagonism is a placed priority and cry orchestrated with odious motive against Islam.
“NAPAIS believes Nigeria deserves peaceful coexistence, unity, religious tolerance and harmonious relationship among the citizens for complete realization of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Federalism and democracy minimal promisory note entail accommodation, tolerance and unity in diversity.
“On this note, our candid suggestion is for the claimant to consult a competent lawyer for apt interpretation of the applicable constitutional provisions to correct their misinterpretation of sections 10 and 14 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended”, NAPAIS notes,” the statement read.
“To set the record straight, the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, NBAIS, formed in 1960 by the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello of the blessed memory, with the aim of exclusive education. It has gone through various transformation since its transfer to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and becomes a national examination.
“The vision is to make NBAIS a frontline examination body for the realization of Federal government’s drive for full integration of the Islamic and Western education, vis-a-vis the promotion of Qur’an school and Madrasat system of education across the country, a feat achieved by the NBAIS Registrar, Professor Imam Yahuza Suleiman.
The pertinent questions to ask the religious bigots with fake spirituality is: how has the approval for NBAIS Certificate constituted an imaginary structural discrimination? In what way/s is the proposed policy in contradiction to the nation’s secularity, as being insinuated? Has there been a time Muslims in Nigeria antagonised such move by either the Traditional African religious believers or Christians? The answer to the last is No. We Muslims would rather challenge the petitioners to expand the frontiers of knowledge by introducing beneficial scholarships for the benefit of all.
“We are not surprised by the ranting of Pastor Bosun Emmanuel due to his antecedents.
“NAPAIS remembers vividly how Pastor Bosun Emmanuel branded the ruling APC an ‘Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria’, he spewed lies about a militant Fulani Islamic group, wanting to Islamize Nigeria by force”.
“We also remind Nigerians of his failed propaganda against former President Muhammadu Buhari; his pseudo prophecy that God talked to him that the Nigerian Churches are ‘irresponsible Churches’.
The Proprietors of Arabic and Islamic Schools appeals to Nigerians to be wary of antics of rabble rousers, who always seek relevance in formenting troubles, whereas Muslims remain law-abiding even when education policy was in favour of Christian Missionaries in exclusion of Islamic schools.
“NAPAIS wants to appeal to concerned Education Regulatory Authorities, including the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa not to listen to Wolf cry of centrifugal elements on the ratification of policy equating the NBAIS with unique and sacred mandate, with the NBTE, NECO and WAEC for full incorporation of Arabic and Islamic Studies into National Education Curriculum.
“The Proprietors of Arabic and Islamic Schools calls on the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and other well meaning Christian leaders and organizations to dissociate themselves from the petition so as to situate the lies, deceits and bigotry within proper context.
“In the same vein, NAPAIS urges the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, under the revered Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakr to throw its weight behind the efforts to salvage the Islamic heritage from cantankerous elements who wish to deny over 5,000 NBAIS Certificate holders, and more than 500 accredited centres, 30 centres in Oyo state, of their deserved status in the national education scheme,” the statement added.
