No Wearing Of Hijab In NYSC Camps, DG Insists - PunchNG

 

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.”