BEVERLY HILLS, June 22, (THEWILL) – The Osun State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has filed a stay of execution on the June 3 judgment of an Osogbo High Court allowing Muslim students in all state public schools in Osun to wear Hijab.
This was disclosed on Wednesday, in Osogbo, by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya during a solidarity visit to the state CAN headquarters by CAN representatives from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states who expressed their support for the Christians in the state on the issue.
In his speech, Rev. Alfred Aro, Secretary of South-West CAN, who spoke on behalf of the association’s Zonal Chairman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, warned that any attempt by Muslim students to wear Hijab to schools after the appeal has been filed would mean that CAN too would ensure that all forms of garments are worn to schools in the state.
“Falola’s judgment negates the spirit of secularism of the nation and 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,” he 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.
“We condemn the ban of Religions Knowledge and History in schools. Such approach does not allow for moral training, upbringing and character moulding in our children who are leaders of tomorrow.”
Present at the event was Ven. Nelson Fadoju, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, CAN, who represented the outgoing National CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritjafor.
Story by David Oputah
