Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has confirmed that all preacher in the state will henceforth submit their sermons to the government before they can preach in the state on Sunday or Friday.
The new policy cuts across all religions in the state.
The Niger State Ministry of Religious Affairs had earlier on September has announced a ban on unauthorized preaching across the state. The directive prohibits individuals and groups from delivering sermons or engaging in religious preaching without prior approval from the ministry. The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs Directorate, Mallam Umar Farooq, also reiterated that anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, emphasising that preachers had two months to obtain their licences.
Confirming the new policy on a programme on TVC on Sunday, Governor Bago clarified that , “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done.
“We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”
The governor noted that the government initiated the policy to forestall indoctrination and unnecessary altercation in the state.
According to him, “We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying. We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services, DSS, the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the military.”
Bago reiterated that “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.”
