Lagos, 14 March, 2022 / 8:26 pm (ACI Africa).
The governor of Nigeria’s Ondo State has promised to reinstate the ownership of schools initially belonging to Catholic missionaries within his jurisdiction after close to five decades of confiscation.
Speaking at the reception of the newly inaugurated executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Ondo State chapter that is under the leadership of Fr. Ansel Ologunwa, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu reportedly said that only the Catholic Church has shown interest and requested that the schools be given back.
“We have promised that we will return schools to missionaries and we are keeping to our promise. It is only the Catholic Church that has shown interest (in the schools),” Governor Akeredolu has been quoted as saying in reference to the 46-year confiscation.
According to the Monday, March 14 report by the Nigeria Catholic Network, St Thomas Aquinas College, St. Louis Girls Grammar School, Akure and two primary schools, were seized by the military administration of the then David Ikpeme in September 1976.
In the report, Governor Akeredolu says that those who are not ready to repossess their schools should refrain from discouraging those who are willing to do so. He says, “A group of people are opposed to it. Our position is that, if you are not interested in taking ownership of your school, don’t discourage others.”