Ayade orders suspension of prayers in schools
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has given a directive that henceforth no public or private primary and secondary school in the state should hold morning or afternoon prayers.
The governor also directed that all teachers with effect from next year must be in suits during official hours. A letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Anne O. Odey, dated October 21, said the suspension of prayers will subsist till further notice.
The directive which was sent to all zonal heads in the state said, “the ministry hereby directs all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state to suspend all assemblies (morning and afternoon) till further notice.”
All school heads were directed to comply strictly or risk sanctions.
In a reaction, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) signed by Archbishop J. E. Ukpo and Apostle Iwara Oleh Obeten, state chairman and secretary respectively, said such directive was completely unacceptable. CAN said the directive will negatively affect the upbringing of children and urged the state government to immediately withdraw same. The University of Benin and Edo State House of Assembly have decided to partner for mutual benefits.
This decision was taken when Speaker of the house, Victor Edoro, led other members to visit ViceChancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osasere Orumwense.
The Speaker said the visit was to formerly congratulate Prof. Osasere Orumwense, on his appointment as vicechancellor of the University of Benin and to strengthen relationship between the Edo State House of Assembly and the institution.
He said “as partners in progress”, there is need to meet to fine-tune ways of improving the relationship.
Responding, Prof. Osasere Orumwense assured the Speaker and other members of the Edo State House of Assembly that his administration is ready to collaborate with them.