30th August, 2022
PRESS
RELEASE:
PROBE DIVERSION OF
ADAMAWA COLLEGE FEES TO CHURCH BANK – MURIC
The management of Adamawa State College
of Nursing and Midwifery was recently forced to suspend the admission process
into its institution after it was discovered that the professional fee was
being paid into the microfinance bank belonging to a church.
Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC) has accused some Christian groups in the country of pursuing an
entitlement and possessive ideology which constitutes a threat to peaceful
coexistence. The group also demanded a probe into the unfortunate incident.
MURIC’s allegation was contained in a
statement issued early on Tuesday, 30th August, 2022 by its
director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads :
“Adamawa State College of Nursing and
Midwifery was recently forced to suspend its admission process after it was
discovered that the professional fee was being paid into the Brethren
MicroFinance Bank, Yola. The bank belongs to a church.
“It
was only when a group of Muslims led by Shehu Ismail discovered this and
protested that the college management was forced to suspend the exercise. (https://www.icirnigeria.org/adamawa-school-suspends-admissions-after-muslims-protest-payment-of-fees-in-church-microfinance-bank/).
“Although we are not
surprised by this development, we are deeply upset by the recalcitrance of our
Christian neighbours and their penchant for cheating Muslims at every little
opportunity. What is most disturbing is
that for every discovery, exposure and revelation, hundreds of such must have been
perpetrated by many Christian groups without the knowledge of Muslims.
“We
cannot continue like this. Our neighbours cheat us without any qualms.
Tramadolised religiousity has taken over the churches. Most Christian churches
of today are not what we used to know in this country. It is a very disturbing
phenomenon. Who did this to Nigeria?
“Are there no conventional banks in the state? The same state capital, Yola,
where the Brethren MicroFinance Bank is located plays
host to several first and second generation banks. What stopped the school
management from patronizing those conventional banks?
“By the way, why should a public institution like
the Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery patronise a microfinance
bank when there are safer banking institutions around? This is not just about
religion but about the ethics of management.
“The school cannot claim to be unaware of the dangers involved in such a
transaction in a country where microfinance banks collapse on monthly basis. What
special benefits can the microfinance bank give the school that conventional,
bigger and safer banks cannot give more? What security guaranty is there for
the school’s savings in such a bank?
“It
beats us hollow that the same Christians who shout to high heavens about Islamisation
and Fulanisation are the first to be caught in so many raw deals aimed at
benefiting Christians only at the expense of their Muslim neighbours. What
happened to corporate integrity? What happened to values and norms? Where are
those biblical teachings on morality and love of neighbour in all these?
“Our Christian neighbours have mastered the art of deceit. They falsely accuse
Muslims of Islamisation knowing very well that they are the ones who are neck
deep in Christianisation in all sectors. But the wind has blown. We have seen
the ruff of the hen.
“It is now crystal clear that this noise about
Islamisation and Fulanisation is a clever design to cover up ongoing, real and
aggressive Christianisation. Our Christian neighbours are pursuing an entitlement and possessive ideology
and this constitutes a threat to peaceful coexistence.
“It is important for them to keep shouting ‘Islamisation’ in order to
put Muslims permanently on the defence. Our Christian neighbours have perfectly
mastered the military tactic of using attack as the best form of defence. That
way, people will not suspect them.
“Muslims in Adamawa have lost confidence in the State College of Nursing
and Midwifery. There is no assurance of fair treatment for Muslims in such an
academic institution that compromises standards in financial matters to a church
microfinance bank.
“Documents, particularly data, home addresses and telephone numbers submitted
to the bank by Muslim students can be easily abused for religious purpose as
they may end up in the Brethren Church for the latter to take advantage of particularly
if documentation is involved at any stage.
“This issue must not end there. Nobody should try
to sweep it under the carpet. MURIC demands probe into the ugly and scandalous
incident. It may appear ordinary but there is more to it than meets the eye.
Muslim tax-payers in the state deserve to know why the Adamawa State Nursing
and Midwifery Council Committee ignored all conventional banks in Yola to open account
number 050..…26 with the Brethren MicroFinance Bank,
a bank that belongs to a church.
“While we
appeal to Muslims in Adamawa State in particular and Nigeria in general to
remain calm and law abiding, we charge them to be at alert. We must be watchful
and prayerful as it is now very clear that our neighbours are forever plotting
to rob Peter to pay Paul. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
