Kwara gov insists on schoolgirls’ right to wear Hijab, warns fifth columnists

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has reiterated the state government’s position that any female Muslim student in the state who wishes to wear hijab in any government-owned school has the right to do so under the Nigerian constitution.

This comes days after the row between Christians and Muslims in Ijagbo over the wearing of hijab, which was refused by management of a grant-aided school in the community.

Meanwhile, the state government had earlier clarified the ownership of mission schools, stating that there are no missionary schools in the state since the government has taken over and is overseeing, monitoring, financing, and staffing the ones that do exist since 1974.

The missionary school officials, on the other hand, claimed that the question of the schools’ ownership is still before the Supreme Court, which is yet to make a ruling.

However, in a statement reiterating the government’s position on the hijab row, AbulRazaq, through his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated that Kwara is a plural society whose diversity and peaceful coexistence as the southernmost northern state are its more unique selling points.

The Governor condemned alleged reckless attempts by some fifth columnists to polarise the state along religious lines, using the settled question of hijaab in public schools as a smokescreen to advance their evil intent.

Ajakaye’s statement added, “Based on subsisting Court judgments which were built on the Constitution, federal and state laws, principle of pluralism, and sanctity of the right of every person to their identity, especially in public space, the use of hijaab in public schools is a constitutional right that the government shall protect for anyone and everyone willing to use it.

“The government’s strategic patience in the handling of delicate matters involving the people it swore to protect is not same as pandering to anyone’s whims.

“Consequently, the Governor stands firmly by government’s policy on the permissibility of hijaab for every Muslim girl child who desires to wear it in all public schools.

“The Governor appeals to the people of the state to not allow agents of fake news and disinformation to mislead them and set them against one another. This administration, to be sure, is beholden only to the law, truth and fairness to all at all times.”