The Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Olawoore, has condemned the government’s use of force to take control of mission schools in Kwara State.

He said the diocese was not in agreement with the government over the use of hijab in mission schools.

The prelate, however, discouraged any form of violence.

He said, “We insist that the Catholic Church rejects and condemns the use of hijab in our mission schools. No matter how hard anyone tries to change the narrative, we stand with CAN that the use of hijab is totally rejected in schools built and owned by Christians.”

The Catholic cleric also described as unpleasant government agents’ forceful breaking of schools’ gates under the watch of armed men.

Going down memory lane, Ajewole said the grant-aiding of schools began in 1974 under the then military governor of the state, Col. David Bamigboye, adding that it was never a complete takeover.

He expressed displeasure over the dilapidated state of facilities in government grant-aided schools, saying that the state government had not been doing much to care for the schools.

Ajewole therefore called on the government to hand off the grant-aiding of mission schools and return them to the original owners.