Female Muslim students and their parents from Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State Wednesday stormed the Government House over the continued denial of the use of hijab by the authorities of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo.
The female students who carried placards to register their displeasure over the development despite the government’s circular permitting the use of hijabs and berets to willing students called for the restoration of their rights.
Chanting ‘Give Us Our Right, We Want Peace,’ the students and the parent barricaded the Government House gate while the protest lasted.
A parent, Taofiq Mustapha, said the female students of the school had been denied entry despite the government’s directive.
“We asked the school authority why and they said because they are following the government directive.
“But the directive was that willing students can wear Hijab, beret or nothing on their uniforms. Schools like St. Claire and other mission schools have complied but when we asked why; Oyun Baptist told us that the school belongs to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“So we are here to ask if the school belongs to CAN, Baptist or government. The worst part of it is that the school pasted on their signpost the picture of a female student using hijab and crossed it meaning hijab is not allowed,” he said.
Another parent, Ajibola Yusuf, said, “No parents will condole this, this is injustice. What we want the government to do is to enforce the circular and the constitutional right of everyone.”
When contacted, the Kwara State Secretary of CAN, Rev Timothy Reuben Ibitoye, said he wanted to verify the situation before responding.
He had yet to do so at the time of filing of this report last night.
The chairman, Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Bello Abubakar, who said the protesters also visited the commission, added, “The government is on top of the issue”.
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