Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed worries over the alleged deliberate sidelining of Christians in appointments into some of the parastatals in the state.

The Kwara CAN secretary, Rev. Cornelius Fawenu, while speaking with The Guardian in Ilorin, said the local CAN had already briefed its headquarters in Abuja on the development. He noted that the development, if left unredressed, could portray Christians as "second-class citizens" in their state of origin.

He disclosed the recent establishment of a statistics unit by the local Christian body to commence compilation of the list of those recently offered employment into some of the parastatals. "We have been alerted and we are investigating. We shall soon come out with the results of our findings. We know some of the establishments in the state, which are fair and adhere strictly to the rules of equity. But some believe that equity is not in their lexicon and, therefore, will prefer honouring notes from some influential persons in the society for appointments. This must stop because merit must always be our watchword," he said.

Fawenu, while clamouring for merit in appointments, urged Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, "who is a Kwara indigene" to wade into the allegations.

He said: "Some of our (children) applicants usually come back with stories of discrimination when they go out for appointments. It must stop. You should not always ask one to go back and ask the other to stay when they are colleagues with identical credentials.

"Incidentally, a Kwaran is currently the chairman of Federal Character Commission. He should investigate these allegations and allow charity to truly begin at home. He is not at fault though. Fawenu commended Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for making conscious appointments of both Moslems and Christians into his cabinet. He urged his appointees to emulate the kind gesture of the governor towards an egalitarian society.

The CAN leader, savouring the existing cordial relationships between Christians and Moslems in Kwara, said the situation has no doubt immensely contributed to peace and economic growth in the state.