Hijab: Osun CAN Files Appeal, Stay of Execution

By Segun Ojo-Oluwabayo       

Osun State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that it has filed an appeal and stay of execution on the June 3 judgment of an Osogbo High Court, allowing female Muslim students in public primary and secondary schools in the state to wear Hijab.

Osun State CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya stated this on Wednesday June 22, 2016 at a solidarity visit to the state CAN headquarters by South-West leaders of the association.

CAN representatives from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states stormed the state to express their support for the state Christians on the Hijab judgment delivered by Justice Oyejide Falola.

In his address, the Secretary of South-West CAN, Rev. Alfred Aro, who spoke on behalf of the association’s Zonal Chairman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, threatened that CAN would re-direct its children to continue to wear all forms of garment to schools should the female Muslims students continue to wear hijab to schools after they have filed the appeal.

Aro noted that Falola’s judgment negated the spirit of secularism of the nation “and it violates the religious rights of the original owner of the missionary schools as agreed upon when the schools were taken over by the then government of Oyo State in 1975”.

The Zonal CAN also expressed their concern on ban of morning devotions and assemblies in schools in some states in the country, saying the action must be rescinded.

Aro said: “We note with dismay despite several appeals as a law abiding association, the ban on morning devotions and assemblies in some schools in Nigeria especially South-West Nigeria based on flimsy reason on insecurity.

“Now that President Muhammadu Buhari had confirmed the end to insurgency, we urge all states to unban the unfair decision within the next one month. CAN urges all its members to write to their state governors immediately. Failure to rescind the ban, we implore CAN in the states concerned to take appropriate actions”

CAN also condemned the ban of Religions Knowledge and History in schools saying it was a ploy by government to use it as an attack on other religions.

“Such approach does not allow for moral training, upbringing and character moulding in our children who are leaders of tomorrow”.