In recent times, there has been allegation that the Teaching Service Commission of Oyo State, TESCOM has connived with Daniel Kolenda Crusade team to coerce Muslim students for its forthcoming crusade in Ibadan.
The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUCOYOS) has accused the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), of forcing Muslim students to listen to Christian preaching.
MUCOYOS noted that Muslim students were being forced to attend Christian crusade in preparation for a programme aimed at receiving a German Christian crusader, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.
MUCOYOS specifically pointed out that it was disheartening that on Friday 29th October, a crusade team was at Sasa Community High School, where Muslim students were deliberately disallowed from observing Jum’at service.
The group in a statement signed by the duo of Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni (Chairman) and Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade (Secretary-General) alleged that the Muslim students in other schools in Ibadan were kept on a special christian evangelization assembly against their faith.
The duo alleged that the crusade team were sent to the schools with the approval of the TESCOM Chairman, Mr. Akin Alamu.
They then advised that the TESCOM Chairman should stop forcing Muslim Students into Christianity.
The statement read: “For some time now, preparations have been in top gear to receive a German Christian Crusader, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda (successor of Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke), coming to Ibadan for a big crusade, tagged ‘Great Gospel Crusade’
“What’s bad about crusades? Nothing, really. But it is gross abuse of office for Pastor Chairman and Church Elder Permanent Secretary of Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), to watch, while for over two weeks now, the crusade teams have been going round schools in Ibadan to forcefully bring out students, coercing them to listen to christian preaching.
“This is very disheartening. On Friday 29th October, a crusade team was at Sasa Community High School, where Muslim students were deliberately disallowed from observing Jum’at by keeping them on a special christian evangelization assembly, specifically organised to mobilise them for the Kolenda crusade. Same has been replicated in many schools in Ibadan.
“It is unimaginable that we still find ourselves in this kind of situation, all because we have a Pastor TESCOM chairman, who is either forcing school principals to implement this crusade, or he is simply looking the other way or; just flagrantly disregarding the extant circular of the Ministry of Education outlawing devotions at school assemblies.
“The system is so bad that, the event is not even happening during the morning assembly, but rather, special assemblies are called when the students should be in class. Everyone is complaining that Oyo State is not doing well in public examinations. Are we not making it worse when precious teaching time is spent on evangelization?
“This is impunity.
“TESCOM Chairman should stop forcing Muslim Students into Christianity. It is not acceptable.
“H.E. Governor Seyi Makinde, please call TESCOM Chairman to order.”
Meanwhile, Alamu while reacting, described the allegations as malicious.
Alamu, who spoke during a telephone conversation on Tuesday night said that he does not have time to respond to such allegations.
He said, “That is malicious. That is malicious and I do not have time to react to such.
“I am not ready to respond to such allegations.”