NYSC Insists On Ban On Hijab For Security Reasons

Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, the director-general
of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has insisted
the ban on the use of the hijab by female corps members
will not be overturned for security reasons.
The director general said this when he received a group of
Muslim youths under the aegis of Muslim Youths in
Da’wah on Tuesday, November 24 at the headquarters of
NYSC in Abuja.
The Punch reports that Luqman Hassan and Kamarudeen
Adefila, the national coordinator and his deputy told
Olawumi that they had intercepted a major protest that
would have taken place over the ban on the hijab in
orientation camps.
Hassan said: “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.”
The director general in his reply 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.
Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim, the NYSC legal adviser assured
that everyone in camp will be treated equally and fairly.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Olawumi appealed to private, public
institutions and individuals to stop seeking for
concessional posting of prospective corps members.