The National President of Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Oshodi yesterday canvassed the return of moral education in the school curriculum to curb criminal activities among youths.
He spoke at a news conference to herald the society’s 100 years Anniversary at Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School Hall, Iponri, Lagos.
Dr Oshodi also advocated religious tolerance among adherents of various faiths.
He said some of the principals in their schools are Christians.
“We have more than 10 primary and secondary schools in Lagos alone. Some of our pupils are Christians and we also have Christian as principals in some of our schools. Various religious groups should tolerate one another to ensure peaceful society,” he said.
According to him, issue of female pupils wearing hijab on uniform in public schools shouldn’t create any uproar since it is a religious duty and also in conformity with the constitution.
“In all our schools, we have made moral education compulsory. Our youths engage in cultism and other vices due to lack of moral. Anyone who is morally upright will not engage in crime,” he said.
He said there is an increase in the population of their pupils due to the success recorded in those schools.
On national issues, Dr Oshodi attributed the current economic recession to over dependency on oil, saying the attacks on oil facilities by the militants have affected the national income.
He equally said that corruption must be eradicated if the country must make a headway.
The National President said members of the Boko Haram insurgents and ISIL are not Muslims.
“Boko Haram and ISIL are out to destroy Islam and they cannot succeed. There is nothing in the Quran to back their activities. They are just using religion to perpetrate their evils,” Dr. Oshodi said.