By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
Niger state State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on religious leaders to moderate their sermons and preach against teenage mining in parts of the state henceforth.
Governor Bago said on Tuesday when the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter led by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna paid him a condolence visit following the death of 37 teenage artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) adding that basic and secondary education is free in the state.
According to him “we are bedevilled with the crisis that happened at the custody of NSCDC. Please, call on parents and guardians not to expose their children and wards to this dangerous kind of business.
“Please, use the churches and mosques to call on parents to discourage their children from indulging in Artisanal mining activities and to encourage them to enrol in schools so that they can be better citizens tomorrow.
“We all have a responsibility to ensure enrolment into schools is encouraged because both basic and secondary education in Niger state are free for all our Pupils in and students in the state .
“It has always been free and we will continue to re-emphasize that it is free. So, there is no reason why any parent will not allow their child to go to school.
“So, use the house of God to during your sermons and preaching to call on our children to go to school,” said the governor
While assuring that the government will ensure it follows the investigative committee to the last to uncover the truth, governor Umaru Bago said “this tragedy was avoidable, but because of lack of professionalism on the part of the NSCDC officers and Men,, we have found ourselves with 37 deaths in our hands.
“This, we cannot sweep under the carpet and by the grace of God and the oath of office we are going to ensure we pursue the matter to its logical conclusion”, declared.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state Chapter, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna while extending the deepest condolences of the entire body of Christ in the state to the Governor, and the bereaved relations of the victims, described the death of the 37 young Artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as wanton and tragic.
Represented by his Deputy, Rev. Joshua Marcus, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese commended the Governor for prioritising human lives over politics, adding that “shifting the flag off of your campaign shows how humane you are and we thank you for ensuring peace is restored”.
While praying to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest and heal the hearts of relatives who lost their children, Bishop Yohanna appeal to the Governor to ensure the true cause of the death is unravelled.
Prayers were thereby offered by the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Rev’d Dr. Mathias Echioda.
