By Correspondent in Ilorin
Kwara state government has shut 10 schools affected in the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of hijab in such educational institutions in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this in a statement she issued in Ilorin on Sunday and a copy made available to The Reporters, an online publication on Monday.
She said:” The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development wishes to inform members of the public that the 10 government schools, where the use of hijaab is disputed, will remain shut until a later date.
“This decision has been taken for safety reasons.
She listed the schools as “C&S College Sabo Oke, ST. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam, CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba.
“The government therefore directs school children and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced.
“The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times.”
The Reporters recalls that the Kwara State Government officially approved the use of hijab in public schools and grant-aided missionary schools in the state.
This was announced on Thursday, 25th February, 2021 by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mamma Sabah jibril
According to him, the decision was reached by the state government after considering submissions of all major interest groups, the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism.
Reacting to the development, Nigerian Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), l applauded the decision.
In a statement captioned, ‘MURIC lauds Kwara Gov For Approving Hijab’, the organization described the decision of the state government as bold, forthright and far-reaching.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,MURIC,in a statement, advised Christian groups in the state to accept the state government’s decision, respect the rule of law and eschew actions capable of causing any breakdown of law and order.
In its reaction to the issue Cherubim and Seraphim church kicked against directive in the state while Cherubim and Seraphim Movement joined Christian bodies in the state to kick against use of hijab in its mission schools.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the Chairman/Spiritual Father of the church, Most Reverend Prophet Samuel Abidoye, said that the state government should return schools built by the church, “to forestall unnecessary trespass capable of leading to breakdown of law and order in the state”.
In the address read by the Acting Chairman, Ilorin District Headquarters, Senior Special Apostle Elijah Fabiyi, the church appreciated efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in finding lasting and amicable solution to the issue,but urged the state government to reverse its decision on the use of hijab in the interest of peace.
“We vehemently say no hijab in our mission schools. We also like to reiterate that we have our church on the college compound, hence the use of hijab will cause disunity.”
Hijab is a religious veil worn by Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest. The term can refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty, according to Wikipedia
