The Student Christian Movement (SCM) has called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to take more decisive actions and be more proactive in securing the lives and property of Nigerians.
In a statement yesterday, SCM observed, with dismay, the palpable insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the unrelenting killings of Nigerians (especially Christians) in Benue and Plateau states.
It stated that the response of the government and security agencies has not been encouraging. The group, nonetheless, commended Tinubu for articulating and implementing several policies that are supportive of business and youth empowerment, which has seen many youths getting engaged in productive activities by keying into them, citing the Student Loans Scheme, which has bailed out many indigent Nigerian students as one of many.
The SCM, however, lamented the appalling deprivation of the religious rights of Christian Students in some sections of the country.
This was communicated through a communiqué issued by the National Secretary, SCM, Mr. IsuosuoOkeoghene, and the Chairperson, Communiqué Committee, Dr. Orekyeh Emeka, at the end of its 85th Anniversary and 33rd National Biennial Conference, themed, “Restore: Rebuild, Renew and Restore,” drawn from Isaiah 58: 6-12, which was held on April 17 to 21, 2025, in Bariga, Lagos State.
“On the issue of one month Ramadan fasting/holiday for both public and private schools in some Northern states, affecting both Muslim and non-Muslim students, SCM observed with dismay the recent arbitrary closure of public and private schools in some Northern states (e.g. Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano) in the name of Ramadan fasting in a country which is constitutionally a secular state. “We respect the rights of our Muslim brothers and sisters to observe their Islamic practices as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“However, we believe it is inappropriate, insensitive and a total breach of the constitutional, educational and child rights laws of Christian Students, and is also in violation of the constitutional principle of secularity of the Nigerian state under Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
In this regard, SCM supports the resolution and position expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on this issue.
