Reactions trail proposed ban on religious prayers at functions

Reactions trail proposed ban
on religious prayers at
functions


Recently, the federal government through
the National Orientation Agency (NOA)
started promoting the recitation of the
second stanza of the national anthem at
public functions.
A source close to government revealed to
our Agent that there are plans to place
a ban on Christian and Muslim prayers at
public functions .
With awareness campaign on the NOA
twitter handle, it is interesting to note that
most Nigerians are still not aware of this
planned move.
The 2nd stanza of Nigeria National
Anthem is being promoted by the NOA as
opening prayer at events.

pic.twitter.com/YQq1km8aAf

— NOA Nigeria (@NOA_Nigeria) March 24,
2016
When our Agent tried to get the views of
some residents of the federal capital
territory, Abuja, it was observed that most
Nigerians do not know the second stanza of
the national anthem.
“I think this is the time that Nigeria need
prayers. Whatever you people are talking
about, I think if the name of God is involved
then our prayers would be attended to,” Grace
told our Agent



Grace feels the second stanza of the
national anthem is “Nigeria’s call obey”
When asked to recite the second stanza of
the national anthem, she simply
replied: “Nigeria’s call obey.”
Meanwhile, Deji Adeyanju, the director of
new media to the Peoples Democratic Party
said the move would strengthen Nigeria’s
unity.
Intrestingly, Deji Adeyanju, PDP’s director of
new media supports the the federal
government on this
“I thinks we are too religious as a country. If
we can be more patriotic, than we are
religious, it will be better for the nation and it
will strengthen unity,” he said.
Similarly, Hajiya Rabi Dauda, a female
politician who expressed support for the plan
noted that the move would rule out religious
sentiments at public gatherings.

Hajiya Rabi Dauda is of the view that the
ban would rule out religious sentiments in
Nigeria
“I am totally in support of the second stanza
of the national anthem replacing religious
prayers at functions. This is because there are
various religions in Nigeria apart from
Christianity and Islam. When Christian and
Muslim prayers are said at events, what
happens to other religions?
“If we want to be fair to all concerned, I think
we have to stick to the national anthem and
that covers everybody. It would further rule
out religious sentiments at functions,” she
added.