3 hours ago
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The Oyo State government has been urged to make education a matter of utmost priority.
The call was made by the leading human rights group in Nigeria, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) following the recent reports on the education sector in the State.
It would be recalled as the Engr. Seyi Makinde led-administration recently announced plans to convert the Oyo State Library Board into a shopping complex.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, the State Ambassador and Secretary General of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) ,Oyo State Chapter, called for urgent proactive measures to ensure proper access to education in the State.
The message read, “We are writing to express our strong opposition to your decision to convert the Oyo State Library Board into a shopping complex. This move is alarming and indicates a disregard for education in Oyo State.
“Converting a public library into a commercial space for traders will deprive the community of a valuable resource essential for education, research, and community development. Moreover, the deplorable conditions of schools in Oyo State, including dilapidated buildings and inadequate facilities, suggest a lack of priority for education.
The sale of public facilities, such as the modern motor park facility in the Wema area, Old Ife Road Ibadan, to private individuals is also concerning.”
MURIC urged Governor Makinde to rescind the decision to convert the library into a shopping complex and prioritize education in Oyo State.
The statement added, “You must withdraw your plan for the relocation of the library from where it is to another place. We advise that more libraries should be built than the relocation of the unrenovated ones.”
The redress the deplorable state of public education in the state, MURIC stated, “We request that you Increase funding for education; fix dilapidated school; issue a circular backing the use of hijab in all government public schools and the provision of necessary resources for our children to thrive.
“Education is crucial for economic growth, poverty reduction, and fostering an informed citizenry. We demand that you take education seriously, prioritize it in your budget, and work towards creating a world-class educational system.
The human rights group also frowned at the harassment of students from faith based missionary public schools over the use of hijab on school uniforms, saying it amounts to an infringement on the rights of affected students.
“We understand that there’s a supposed memorandum of understanding between the Christian missionaries and the state government that the students of those schools would not be allowed to wear hijabs.
MURIC warned, “This has to be stopped. It’s an infringement of rights. A channel to deprive Muslim children of their right to education, in public schools.”
