CAN reveals position on Kwara schools hijab crisis

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for the immediate reversal of the approval by the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the wearing of hijabs in schools across the state, including Christian mission schools.

Recall that Kwara State Ministry of Education on Monday reversed its decision to reopen the 10 Christian grant-aided schools, where the use of hijab is disputed.

The government, in February, ordered the temporary closure of 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital, pending the resolution of the controversy in the schools.

The schools are C&S 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.

CAN expressed sadness over the development, stating “CAN has resolved to use all lawful means to reverse the order if the government refused to withdraw the directive”.

A statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, said: “It appears to be contempt of the court because the Governor is aware that there is a pending court case on this matter over which the court had earlier ruled that the status quo should be maintained.

It said: “The Governor of Kwara State has shown open bias for one religion with his inability to wait for the court process to be concluded over this matter. No political leader should use his or her position to further the cause of any particular religion or ethnic group in order for peace to prevail.”

“Is the governor now saying that he is above the law? What is going to spoil if we all wait for the court to pronounce judgement on the matter? Why this hasty action?

“We recalled that some people took laws into their hands in the state by going from schools to schools to be enforcing the wearing of hijab in secondary schools, including the schools owned by mission agents but are only grant-aided by the government.

It advised him to immediately reverse the approval, describing the Governor’s action as hasty, biased, premature and equally prejudicial.

CAN urged the political elites to stop using their religious “overzealousness in causing division in the society but rather treat all equally irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation.