Traditionalists told to establish own schools

Traditionalists across the country have been charged to establish special schools in order to teach their children based on the provisions and principles of their religion. Stakeholders in the education sector made the call at the second annual Inter-House Athletics Competition of Olokun Asorodayo Primary School, Itan, Iseyin, Oyo State. The National Secretary of Orunmila Youngsters International (OYI), Priest Fayemi Fakayode, who was one of the speakers, said the school was one of those established for the teaching of children of traditional religion followers. He said the educational system of Nigeria has been fingered as one of the factors militating against the growth and development of traditional religion in the country. Fakayode explained that the OYI had got to know this and had been encouraging Ifa/Orisa adherents to establish their own schools to solve the problem, maintaining that there are now schools for the children of Ifa /Orisa religionists in both Oyo and Osun States. Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Iseyin Local Government chapter, Mr. Abdul-Fatai Shittu Gbeko charged parents living in the area to let their children attend Olokun Asorodayo Primary School irrespective of their religion. He said, “though this school was established by the traditionalists, once it has been taken over by the government, every citizen, either Muslim, Christian or traditionalist has the same right in the school.” The chairman on the occasion, Mr. Adefabi Dasola however, enjoined the pupils of the school to be hardworking so that they would be able to match their counterparts in other faith-based schools, stating that through such, they would be useful for themselves and the society.