What I constantly demand from adverse commentators on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is the basis for their opinions and judgement.
Let us examine the case of the governor and Osun. He met a very badly administered State in late 2010. A State that was insolvent. Within the first 100 days, he took off the streets of Osun 20,000 indolent youths, mentored them and set them to work on community, social and public works. Their recruitment was not based on any primordial consideration. Residency and academic records were the only basis for recruitment to this scheme. Religion, politics and ethnicity were never issues.
He, by February of 2011, convened an education summit which set a road map for effective and functional basic education. In the same month, he launched an ethical revolution through the rebranding of the State, based on the folk moral code of Yoruba called OMOLUABI.
He took time to compose his cabinet on the ground of husbanding resources for his landmark programmes. This, he has more than justified in the course of his first term tenure.
The schools reform entails feeding of pupils in the lowest level of basic education. The meals are not just convenient rations. No, they are recommended by nutritionist from OAU, Ile-Ife. Besides, the customary carbohydrates and beans, the 300,000 beneficiaries of this unique and unrivaled mid-day meal programme consume 10,000 crates of eggs, 400 tonnes of (Obokun) fish; 15,000 whole Chicken, 35 heads of cattle in a week. The scheme also employs 3100 smartly kitted, well groomed and certified women caterers who are equally empowered to service their communities.
There was no religious consideration in the management of any aspect of this programme. At least, no one complained of any such experience in the adminstration of Osun School Feeding and Health Programme “ O’ Meals”.
Still on the schools reforms, 750,000 students in public schools were given uniforms, and a muted campaign of religious motive was initiated by some vested interests. This was where the hate mantra started. Falsehood took the stage and truth fled from discourse of the bold initiative on education reform in Osun. If it is not Hijab being forced on all female pupils and students in Osun basic education schools, it will be that the governor has ordered the distribution of hijab at the gate of schools. Lies without foundation were spewed by otherwise honourable people whose integrity could hardly be faulted. They forgot, though, that the company that won the bid to supply the schools uniforms is owned by a born again Christian.
When the matter got to a climax, the woman simply went on air to debunk the heresy of hijab. For the avoidance of doubts, the company is the reputable Sam & Sarah Garment Factory on the Lagos-Ibadan Expresssway.
The school reforms required the reclassification and consolidation of schools in order to maximize the resources of the state and investment on education. A new structure of basic education adminstration was evolved without changing the curriculum. Schools, therefore, had to be re-arranged. Because of the sensitivity of religion, Muslim named schools were merged together just as Christian named schools were merged together where that was necessary. It is absolutely false that Muslim-named schools were merged with Christian-named schools. To be sure, all the schools affected by this policy are public schools owned and administered by the government since 1975, though bearing their previous missionary names.
The demography of students in the schools is a reflection of the demography of the local communities. To expose the clear dubiety of the campaigners of hate, kindly note that nowhere in Nigeria are students admitted on the basis of religion to any school, whether public or private. If this is the custom in Nigeria, where then will Aregbesola get the absolute Muslim students to mix with absolute Christian students, as it is being claimed.
It is a lie that the unsuspecting public was fed. Let us take the Baptist High School, Iwo, as a case study. Students from United Methodist High School (UMHS), St. Mary College in Iwo, St. Anthony School, Iwo and Baptist Grammar School, Iwo, were moved to the Baptist High School. The total students in Baptist High School, Iwo after the consolidation is 2500. However, 25 of these students are traditional hijab wearers from their old schools; 19 from UMHS and 6 from St. Mary College, Iwo.
It was because of these 25 students that some 50 parents in the Baptist High School protested the arrangement. Let us ask ourselves, who is in danger of assimilation? The 25 odd hijab wearers or the overwhelming 2475 conventional student? This is the truth of the matter, which can be investigated by whoever cares for the establishment of the truth. The matter, of course, was blown out of proportion by vested interests as usual. The disquiet was managed by the officials of the ministry of education soon afterwards.
The Osun Executive Council is made up 38 members only. Fourteen are Muslims, including the governor. The body of permanent secretaries is composed of about the same number, only 8 are Muslims. The House of Assembly with 26 members has 10 Muslims. The judiciary is equally so composed. Where then is this threat of Islamisation?
We must kindly warn ourselves that some mischief makers are up to some tricks in the South West. This is the most peaceful region in Nigeria. It may be that they are bent on stoking a crisis here for a narrow and opportunistic objective. Otherwise, there is no basis at all for the outrage and stigmatization of a focussed, determined, and people-oriented administration like that of Aregbesola by anybody. You can only say he wears his faith on the sleeve of his garment. That is true but permissible under our laws.
Yoruba are known for religious tolerance from the beginning of time. That is our heritage and legacy to the world. No amount of provocation will disrupt what has taken our people millions of years to build. Our spiritual live is built on the tripod of Isese (traditional religion), Islam and Christianity.
No fundamentalist of whatever hue will have an abode here. Let the purveyors of evil and doom reform their ways and desist hence forth from their anti-people and anti-peace moves.
Osun is moving. Nothing, I say nothing, by the grace of God will stop us.
nOmojola is a public affairs analyst
