By Correspondent in Ilorin
The Christian Association of Nigeria,( CAN), Kwara State chapter has vehemently rejected government’s decision to legalize the use of head covers popularly known as Hijab, among Muslim students in Christian mission grant aided schools across the state.
The association made its position known in a communique signed by the state Secretary and Director, Legal and Publicity, Rev. Reuben Ibitoye and Pro Apostle Shina Ibiyemi respectively, few hours after the state government made a pronouncement that all female Muslim students are free to use hijab regardless of the school they attend.
Our correspondent reports that the communique was read to journalists shortly after rising from the plenary meeting of the chapter by the proprietors of grant aided schools, heads of Bloc, heads of different denominations and depegates at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Taiwo road, Ilorin.
The the Secretary, Nigerian Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Victor Adebayo, said the Christian body would employ every legal means to defend its faith and properties.
He asserted that in principle and practice, schools established by the Christian body werr mission grant aided schools and not general public schools,” as such, can not be technically Islamized, starting with the use of Hijab.”
The body rejected and condemned in strong terms, the approval of the use of Hijab in its schools, saying that if allowed to stay, “this will cause discrimination and allow terrorists to easily identify their children and ward.”
They demanded the return of all Christian mission grant aided schools to their original owners, noting that most of the schools had churches besides them and unnecessary trespass might lead to break down of law and order.
The communique called on Christian faithful across the state to occupy all grant aided schools to prevent what it described “as forceful take over by government.”
The body also called on Christians to observe a day for prayers and fasting for God to intervene in the imbroglio.
The Reporters recalls that the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Prof. M S Jubril, in a statement, disclosed that the state government had finally approved wearing of hijab by muslim pupils in such schools in the state.
The schools affected, according to Jubril are: Cherubim and Seraphim College, St. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School all in Ilorin, the state capital.
