While the storm arising from the planned demolition of Fakunle High School in Oshogbo to make room for the setting up of a Shop Rite Mall has yet not settled, a policy of school reclassification by the Aregbesola administration may be instigating another crisis in Osun State.
In the scheme of school reclassifications announced by the Osun State Government, there are now three schools: the elementary, middle school and high schools.
The purported reclassification formula however, despite informing the demolition of a high school, introduces the merger of most of schools in the State.
Some of the merged schools are faith-based, and their proprietors have publicly declared their disagreement with the merger plan.
One of the Christian denominated Schools, Baptist High School, recently shut its gates against the new students distributed to them upon resumption as a way of expressing its indignation. The closure was followed by a mild protest with banners and placards, which bore messages of disapproval of the merger policy.
Some of the Christian-denominated schools were basically for same-gender students, but the schools’ say of the merger policy displaces the sanctity of their moral preserves.
In addition to the resistance of the schools to the idea, the Osun State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on October 7 wrote to the State Government that it totally rejects the plan.
In a letter to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, CAN stressed that the foundation of the Christian faith is threatened by the policy and that its members in the State would not compromise on resisting it.
The correspondence, signed by the Osun State Chairman of CAN, Rev Elisha O. Ogundiya, demanded an immediate stop to the implementation of the merger policy, a reversal of the mixture of both genders in the same-sex schools, and the return of all mission schools to their founders.
The Association gave seven-day ultimatum to the Governor to work on their demands, following which they threatened other actions.
SaharaReporters learned that Fakunle High School, which is to give way for a Shop Rite Mall, although not operated as a Christians-only school, was founded by a Christian missionary, Reverend Pa. Ade Fakunle in 1956, before it was taken over by the Osun State Government in 1975.
View the related comments and for more; http://saharareporters.com/news-page/religious-crisis-brewing-osun-state-over-gov-aregbesola%E2%80%99s-merger-schools
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SCHOOL VS MALL
Submitted by ROTIMI OLUKOGA (not verified) on October 15, 2013 - 14:29.
THOUGH FROM OGUN STATE, I WAS BORN AND BRED IN OSHOGBO. IT IS THEREFORE SAD TO READ THAT A SUPPOSEDLY PROGRESSIVE GOVERNOR WOULD DEMOLISH A SCHOOL TO BUILD A MALL. THAT IS TURNING AWOLOWO PHILLOSOPHY UP SIDE DOWN.
FAKUNLE, THE ORIGINAL FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL WOULD BE REGRETING NOT UTILISING THAT LAND TO ESTABLISH A LOCAL MARKET DURING HIS LIFE TIME. HE CHOSE TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL SO THAT STUDENTS FROM THERE WOULD GO ON IN LIFE TO ESTABLISH MARKETS, INDEED MODERN MARKETS LIKE THE ONE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON THAT LAND.
BUT IS IT LAWFUL TO TAKE PUBLIC PROPERTY AND GIVE IT TO INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES? LAWYERS TO THE RESCUE.
FAKUNLE, THE ORIGINAL FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL WOULD BE REGRETING NOT UTILISING THAT LAND TO ESTABLISH A LOCAL MARKET DURING HIS LIFE TIME. HE CHOSE TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL SO THAT STUDENTS FROM THERE WOULD GO ON IN LIFE TO ESTABLISH MARKETS, INDEED MODERN MARKETS LIKE THE ONE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON THAT LAND.
BUT IS IT LAWFUL TO TAKE PUBLIC PROPERTY AND GIVE IT TO INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES? LAWYERS TO THE RESCUE.
Aregbesola wants to Bokorize Osun State
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 15, 2013 - 14:27.
When Aregbesola became the Governor of Osun State,he did not have Commissioners for months to enable him concretize islamic fundamentalism.When you look at his policy thrust it is clear that he will declare Osun State an Islamic State IF he wins the next election.He is the only APC governor that is boldly attempting to wipe out christianity in Osun State.
A wise governor will build shoprite in a virgin land to attract development in Oshogbo.Aregbesola, is already packing his personal effects from the government house.
A wise governor will build shoprite in a virgin land to attract development in Oshogbo.Aregbesola, is already packing his personal effects from the government house.
