The proposed Act to Establish National Council for Christian Education, currently before the National Assembly, has been described as a “time bomb” by the Assistant Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South East zone, Reverend Blessed Amalambu. He urged the lawmakers to reject the Bill, warning that passing it into law could create strife, affect the nation’s unity and promote persecution.
Responding to reports that the Bill had scaled its second reading in the Senate, Amalambu cautioned that freedom of worship and expression would be restricted if it became law and is implemented. He blamed the sponsor of the Bill, Senator Binos Yaroe, for promoting a measure that could undermine the country’s peace and harmony without considering its implications.
Amalambu, who is also the Secretary of PFN in Abia State, denied claims that executives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) briefed state chapters and other blocs like the PFN to endorse the Bill. He criticized Christian legislators in the National Assembly for remaining silent on the proposed law.
He warned that they would be held accountable if the passage of the Act triggered conflict or crises, adding that many people, particularly within the Christian community, may not comprehend the significance of the Bill. He advised that it should be abandoned to preserve peace, unity and religious and educational freedoms in the country.
“We should critically examine the said Bill before passing it into law,” said Amalambu, calling attention to the lack of proper deliberations and the apparent reliance on voice notes and zoom meetings, which he regarded as unacceptable. He added, “As a father of Christian faith, I will not keep quiet, neither will I stop enlightening the larger society to know the danger that is looming ahead if this bill should be smuggled to pass through the third reading and into the law,” urging leaders of CAN not to endanger Nigeria’s stability and Christian communities with the Bill.
