Application of Practical Religion Education in Northern Nigeria: Panacea for Civic Engagement and Peace Building

Abstract:

Religious extremism and fanatism are major contributions to violent activities and crisis in Nigeria. Borno State is one of most affected States due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgency. This paper is put together as a result of a three (3) days peace seminar conducted at the College of Education Waka – Biu Borno State on 29th to 31st January, 2020. College of Education Waka-Biu is one of eight (8) tertiary institutions in Borno State. It is located Biu, Southern senatorial District of Borno State. Biu is about one hundred and seventy two (172) kilometers from Maiduguri the Borno State capital. The major road that links Biu to Maiduguri is closed due to the activities of Boko Haram because the road passes through the “Sambisa” forest. The College of Education Waka-Biu was established in 1986. The college is a transformation of the then “Teachers College Waka-Biu” which was established by the Church of the Brethren Mission in 1957. The College of Education has a student population of about twelve thousand (12,000) with half Christians and half Muslims. The College has been peaceful without any record of religious intolerance. The tribes of the students and staff members are dominant Pabir, Bura, Margi, Kibaku, Gwoza, Kanakuru, Tera, Fulani, Hona, Kilba, Yungur, Michika, Lounguda Ga’anda etc. The College of Education is a major higher institution in southern Borno State and it is bothered by Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe and part of Taraba State. The school is liked by parents and students due to its peaceful historical record, conducive environment and its affordability. It will interest the readers to know that the tuition fee for Borno indigenes is only seven thousand (N 7, 000) and non-indigene is fifteen (N 15,000) and naira only per session (Academic Year), probably it is one of the cheapest advanced institutions in Nigeria. Biu is the only town in Nigeria that withstood and blocked Boko Haram from invading and extending to other towns from 2013-2014 when Boko Haram captured almost all parts of Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa States. The defence was enormous from the indigenes that sacrificed their lives to protect the town and secure a freedom of worship and education. Christians protected Muslims during prayers and Muslims did same for the Church. The cooperation and understanding was worth emulation for peaceful Nigeria. No wonder, the town is now blessed with Nigerian Army University which is a result of peace building and peaceful coexistence.