A group of Muslim youths under the aegis of Muslim Youths in Da’wah on Tuesday at the headquarters of the National Youth Service Corps in Abuja protested against the ban on the use of hijab by female Muslim corps members, especially during orientation camps.
But the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General, Johnson Olawumi, insisted on the ban, saying it was “for security reasons.
The national coordinator of LMYiD, Luqman Hassan; and the Deputy Coordinator, Kamarudeen Adefila, had told the NYSC DG that a major protest by Muslims was averted because of the ban on hijab in most orientation camps.
Hassan told the DG, “We are here to discuss with you about the incident that happened recently in various camps across the country. We have a guiding principle which is based on the Holy Q’uran. We are all Nigerians and the principle which guides us is the constitution and the African Charter on Human rights.
“Members of the NYSC are Nigerians who have contributed to the development of this country; female corps members deserve protection by the NYSC. We don’t believe that a female corps member putting on hijab has done any wrong against the Act establishing the NYSC. So they deserve the respect of the NYSC. We have travelled far and wide and visited different camps. Why are the rights of female corps members being infringed upon. We are here to register our displeasure.”
“Many Muslim organisations wanted to protest, but we said wait a while. In fact, we have to intervene to avoid the situation and if Muslims march on the streets, it will attract a lot of negative comments, but people won’t know why we are protesting,” Adefila had added.
In his response, Olawumi said, “Under my leadership, the NYSC will accord respect to every corps member, irrespective of tribe and religion. The incident in Benue State was caused by the use of long hijab. The security situation in the country is tough. There is the danger of somebody using hijab for other reasons.
“There have been cases where young girls put on hijab and eventually turn to suicide bombers. Boko Haram members know how to get at whoever they want as target. That is why we frown at the wearing of long hijab. Please call on all your Muslim youths to be patient and adhere to it, just for a short period during the camp. We frown at long hijab because of the security implication.”
The NYSC DG expressed disappointment in the allegation by the visiting youths.
“Why are you so particular on your alleged infraction on the rights of youths without mentioning any one of such on Christian youths? Produce your evidence, write to us and I can assure you that we will act fast. When the incident in Benue State was reported to us, I swung into action and ensured that the camp commandant was decamped immediately. We are not magicians; if you have any evidence, write to us and we will not hesitate to act.”
The NYSC Legal Adviser, Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim, said the incident in Benue State was under investigation.
He said, “I’m a Muslim and in our camps, I know that we have treated everybody equally. You mentioned the fact that you would have proceeded to protest. Very minor issues could trigger off mass protest.
“We will see the way forward to this complaint. I can assure you that the issue will not be swept under the carpet. The NYSC is very sensitive to the issue of religion and immediately we heard of it, we swung into action and we are on it because issues of religion are very sensitive.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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You do well sir, security first, life no get duplicate abeg
ReplyDeleteMust these poeple wear Hijabb? how does wearing Hijab shows Godliness? All we need now is for all to work together to overcome this B/Haram issue and not Hijab!!! that means, Christians too should wera sutanna and otherChristian regalia, then we will stop having a country because of Religion!!!
ReplyDeleteU & NYSC DG re a big fools! Bcos u don't know what it takes to abide by d principles &:injunctions of Almighty God.
DeleteU & NYSC DG re a big fools! Bcos u don't know what it takes to abide by d principles &:injunctions of Almighty God.
DeleteI support the ban pls. We need transparency all round particularly when one cannot tell what is hidden under d said long hijab
ReplyDeleteNO HIJAB OOOO. WHAT FOR? WE DON'T WANT THE BOKOS TO GO THERE THROUGH HIJAB. LET THEM WEAR WHAT OTHERS ARE WEARING. WHAT KIND OF DISTRACTION IS THIS? Jay 2,Abuja. .
ReplyDeleteEven university graduates r religious bigots. Wat will hijab do for u if u put it on...wat spice will it add to ur lives.....crude ppl
ReplyDeleteCreate a separate orientation camp for those who want to wear hijab. That way they can be bombing themselves if they want.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha funny, but true
DeleteNigerian Muslims are so sentimental, and this why the issue of Boko Haram cannot be resolved in this Country. Chadian Government automatically banned the wearing of Hijab completely because of Boko Haram, what is wrong with us here. They even went to the markets and confiscated all the hijabs in the market. Go to the Arab countries, they have ladies going about without wearing hijab.
ReplyDeleteNo wearing of hijab. We want the lives of our corps members back. Remember when some of them were killed during an election we all cried for a measure to protect them in subsequent elections. This one of the measures to protect them while in camp
ReplyDeleteHijab is not part of NYSC dress code, anybody that doesn't agree shld ask for exemption from NYSC. Dnt even know what is wrong with this pple, pple in cherubim shld also protest not wearing white garment in NYSC camp.
ReplyDeleteThis rule should apply nationwide. No wearing of hijab. This will help expose would - be female suicide bombers.
ReplyDeleteMuslims with their stupid mentality. Dat's why the are creating confusion all over d world. A world without Muslims will be a safe place.
ReplyDeleteLike South Sudan?
DeleteNice comments from everybody. United against Boko haram and all forms of terrorism
ReplyDeleteI do not see anything special in this your so call hijab it does prove. Holiness its just a law put down and not almighty God
ReplyDeleteI do not see anything special in this your so call hijab it does prove. Holiness its just a law put down and not almighty God
ReplyDeleteWHEN U SEE D HYPOCRITES TALK, ITS ALL ABOUT HYPOCRISY. VIRTUALLY ALL NON-MUSLIMS DO FIND THE SLIGHTEST OPPORTUNITY TO SLANDER ISLAM AT WILL. THE EXCUSE HERE IS THE ISSUE OF BOKO HARAM, FORGETTING THAT THE HATRED ON HIJAB HAS BEEN EVER SINCE BEFORE THE BOKO HARAM ISSUE. THE ISSIUE OF BOKO HARAM IS ANOTHER ISSUE ENTIRELY AS TO THE INDIVIDUALS OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS BEHIND IT. CERTAINLY NOT OF ISLAM, BUT TO ALSO TARNISH THE IMAGE OF ISLAM.
ReplyDeleteWE ARE IN A WORLD WHERE NUDITY IS ENCOURAGED. WOMEN ARE DRESSED YET NICKED, DUE TO EXPOSURE OF BODY SHAPES, BREAST ETC, YET THEY SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
WE MAY COMMENT HERE AS WE LIKE, BUT U ALL SHOULD REMEMBER THAT U WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY COMMENT U MADE IN THE HEREAFTER.
Please read this Vanguard news of March 13, 2013 on such issue to a Christian female corp member: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/church-condemns-sack-of-corps-member-over-refusal-to-wear-trousers/
ReplyDeleteI believe NYSC scheme rules and regulations, official and non-official, have to be redesigned with all the various religious bodies representatives in the country in attendance to arrive at acceptable rules and regulations. A PROSTITUTE FOR JUST A DAY IS STILL A PROSTITUTE IF HER HUSBAND/FIANCE GET TO KNOW. A DEVOTED MUSLIMAH CANNOT BREAK ALLAH'S COMMAND JUST FOR A YEAR SERVICE.