HIJAB CONTROVERSY: Government can not impose the use of uniform in our schools – Kwara Baptist
Demands return of their schools back to them without further delay
Ruquayah Shittu Just Events Online
Sequel to recent approval in Kwara state over the status of the hijaab in public/grant-aided schools, in a statement issued late Wednesday 25 February, made available to The Just Events Online by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mamma Sabah Jibril, the decision was taken after consultation with relevant stakeholders.
which the state government has consulted widely with thought leaders and leaders of both Muslim and Christian communities to clarify issues and reach a consensus. The last of such meetings was held on Wednesday, February 24, presided by His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
At least 10 schools of interest were earlier shut down to maintain peace and public order as well as prevent mischief-makers from taking undue advantage of the development whereby The government affirmed the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship, also directed that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.
Before the reopening, the Kwara Baptist Church along Surulere in Ilorin has today 4th of March, called for a press conference at the Baptist Church Kwara HQT disregarding the recent development in the State, stating that some Muslim fanatics invaded a Christian School and enforcing the wearing of Hijab by pupils in Christian schools in llorin on Wednesday 18t February,
2021, describing it as a height of provocation, said it took the wisdom of God for the issue not to degenerate into a free for.
The president, Kwara Baptist Rev. Dr. Victor S.A Dada while addressing pressmen in Ilorin said, consequent upon the incident, the Kwara State Government has concluded plans to procure and enforce the use of uniform Hijab in all public schools across the Kwara State, stating that it is so unfortunate that the State Government is yielding to the desire and threats of Islamic fundamentalists to impose the religion code in Christians schools.
Rev. Dr. Victor made it clear that all Baptists in Kwara State, home, and abroad will not allow the wearing of Hijab in all schools established by Baptists in the State.
In his statement, which also reads
“We are all bonafide Kwarans and we all have
equal rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”
“By this move, the Kwara State Government is saying the Muslims
purported right is superior to that of the Christians. Also, the; State Government is not ignorant of the planned invasion of our
mission school on the 18th day of February 2021 as the confirmation
of impunity and imperial conclusion”
Rev. Dr. Victor, in his address, said Grant-aided of religious bodies schools in 1974 or any other schools like community schools does not mean a total takeover of such schools and thus it is contrary to the spirit of the mutual agreement reached then, say boldly that there was no compensation paid to the concerned religious bodies, describing such scene as so unfortunate that most people inside and outside the government think grant aid of a school means total takeover, stating that the community grant-aided schools still have a say in the running of their schools.
However, they warned the state government on the steps of hijab approval for all public schools and grant-aided schools in the state will lead to an avalanche of reactions which the end can not be predicted. Also states that no one, not the Kwara state government or the federal government can force hijab on their schools.
