Those wishing to spread their religious beliefs to communities in Niger State may soon have acquire preaching permit from the government if an executive bill sent to the state House of Assembly is finally approved.
The government, in a move to regulate religious preaching and establishment of worship centres in the state, has proposed that anyone or religious group willing to propagate their beliefs in any part of the northern state must get the go-ahead from the authorities before doing so, otherwise, such person or group would be punished accordingly.
On Friday, a public hearing was held in Minna, and the Speaker of the House, Adamu Usman, disclosed that the bill, when finally passed and assented to by the governor, Babangida Aliyu, each local government area in the state would have a religious preaching and places of worship regulation committee.
Usman explained that the bill is aimed at ensuring a peaceful and harmonious co-existence in the state. The Speaker also noted that the committee would be empowered, among other duties, to issue preaching permits to visiting preachers and report any infringement of the law to the appropriate authorities.
He said if the bill is passed into law, it would be an offence for a preacher to malign or ridicule the person or teachings of any of the prophets, their compatriots and disciples, or establishes, leads or conducts Juma’at prayer, Church services or prayers at religious praying grounds or convention centres established or created without a permit.
Usman urged participants to be guided by their sense of reasoning and respect for each others views in order to produce a law that would stand the test of time.
Niger To Introduce Preaching Licence http://t.co/YQiF4tnrKJ