Before addressing congregations, religious preachers must submit their sermons for approval, according to a new policy announced by the Niger State Government.
In an interview on Politics that aired on TVC on Sunday, Governor Umar Bago was said to have verified the development.
“I didn’t ban evangelism,” Bago said. It is customary for everyone attending the Friday sermon to bring their scriptures for review. This is carried out even in Saudi Arabia.
He claims that the action is intended to stop offensive and defamatory remarks directed against the populace or the government.
“We cannot say that because you have been given the chance to be a cleric, you will preach anti-government and anti-people gospels and you believe that this is normal,” he stated.
Governor Bago revealed that the state administration will work with security services to keep an eye on sermon material.
“We would like to be able to see and hear what they are preaching.” The Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the police, and the military are among the security services with which we are collaborating,” he continued.
The state government has implemented a license requirement for preachers in addition to the sermon review process.
Clerics have two months to apply for the new license, according to a statement made earlier this month by Umar Farooq, the chairman of Niger State Religious Affairs.
“Yes, preaching is prohibited by the State Government,” Farooq stated. Between now and the following two months, any preacher who want to preach must obtain a license.
“They only need to come into our office, pick up the form, and complete it. Before they can begin preaching, they will then need to appear before a panel that will screen them.
