CRS Reintroduction: Gov Radda Shows Genuine Sign to Tackling Insecurity and Developing in Katsina State- NCYP

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) haa commended Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, for the reintroduction of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in primary and secondary schools, and the approval of monthly stipends to all pastors in the state to encourage them to continue praying for peace.

According to the group, these decisive and sensitive actions are not only valuable to the educational sector but also represent a conscious, strategic effort to close the cracks that have, over time, created openings for insecurity to thrive in Northern Nigeria.

The group in a statement by jointly signed by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak and the Katsina State Chapter Coordinator, Amos Kafur, said Governor Radda’s actions demonstrate that he is a listening and responsive leader.

The state read that the Christian community in Katsina State, through the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has long appealed to the government to restore the teaching of CRS in schools, just as Islamic Religious Studies is taught. By heeding this call, the governor has set a commendable example of governance rooted in fairness and inclusivity.

Quoting the Hausa adage, “Sai bango ya tsage, kadangare ya shiga” — meaning “it is only when there is a crack in the wall that a lizard can enter” — NCYP stresses that political marginalization in the North, sustained from Nigeria’s independence to date, has been a major driver of inter-religious tensions between Christians and Muslims, noting that: “These tensions have tragically evolved into the monsters of terrorism, banditry, and farmer–herder violence, consuming communities of both faiths.

“While Katsina State has had virtually no history of large-scale religious crisis, the consequences of marginalization in neighboring states have inevitably affected it, just as they are spreading across the country. Governor Radda’s bold step is proof that such destructive trends can be tamed through policies of inclusion and mutual respect.

“The monthly stipends to pastors will not only strengthen interfaith harmony but also widen the net in the fight against poverty, ensuring a fairer distribution of wealth across the state. The Governor will also do well to ensure that Christians are allowed to build churches in communities where they reside, for the propagation of Christianity and the strengthening of peaceful coexistence across the state.”

NCYP therefore hailed Governor Radda as a wise leader who genuinely cares for the growth and development of his people, stressing that: “He understands that governance rooted in inclusion — especially religious inclusion — is a fundamental building block for community resilience. With a secured state, government policies can work more effectively, and the environment will become more conducive for business growth and social progress.

“We call on leaders across Northern Nigeria, particularly political office holders, to go beyond lip service and adopt genuine religious inclusion, just as Governor Radda has done. This non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity strengthens not only the education sector but also the security architecture of the state,” the group said.

They added that: “The Northern Christian Youth Professionals — whose mandate includes the promotion of inter-religious harmony and peaceful coexistence as the foundation for economic development in the region — proudly celebrate this achievement and urge other states to emulate this laudable example.”

CRS Reintroduction: Gov Radda Shows Genuine Sign to Tackling Insecurity and Developing in Katsina State- NCYP