The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has demanded sanction of anti-hijab principals and teachers in school saying that Lagos State Government should sack any teacher or principal who defaulted.
The Amirah female president of MSSNLagos, Azeezah Gidigbih, said this in her 2023 World Hijab Day while encouraging her members to be brave to wear the hijab to school despite the harrassment and oppression facing in some schools.
While explaining the theme of this year’s WHD, ‘Progression not Oppression’, reflected the situation of hijab-wearing students in Nigeria, she said government should sack or prosecute any erring teacher or principal.
She said, “Just like yesterday, we jubilated when the Supreme Court after a legal tussle of about 10 years granted us victory over the use of hijab in schools.
“Indeed, we are making progress. Our efforts are yielding positive results and we won’t rest until we achieve 100 % compliance on the use of hijab by our members.”
Gidigbih, however, commended the Lagos State Government for issuing a circular to permit hijab in public schools, adding that the continuous harassment of its members in hijab after the Supreme Court judgment and the state government’s circular last year will no longer be tolerated.
She then threaten to sue anyone found harrassing students and denying them their rights to use the hijab in a school saying that Lagos Staet Government should publicly sanction any one culpable of the offence.
She stated, “It is no longer news that in June 2022, the Supreme Court approved for students to use the hijab in all schools. This move has however not deterred some overzealous school administrators who still throw caution to the wind and harass students without regard for the constitution and directives from their employers.
“We recommend that they should be demoted, sacked, prosecuted and jailed instead of just being transferred as witnessed in recent cases. These disobedient elements don’t deserve to be in our fast-growing educational system in Lagos State.
“While we are not against students conforming to school rules and regulations on dress code, we will not allow the effect of the Supreme Court judgment to be watered down and rendered worthless.”
She also praised the recent appointment of a hijabi Dr Shareefah Adejoke Yusuf as the Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District VI by the Lagos State Government.
She stated, “Just like every other year, the issues are the same. Muslimahs have shown over time that a whole lot can be achieved with the hijab and like others, we should be allowed to show our capabilities.
“Worthy of note is the recent appointment of a hijabi Dr Shareefah Adejoke Yusuf as the Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District VI by the Lagos State government. This is an affirmation that the hijab is not a limiting factor to the success of any individual. We commend the Lagos State for this move and we are certain of more success in the nearest future with more innovation and achievements by other hijabis.”
Discussing the theme of this year’s World Hijab Day, the MSSNLagos female president praised its members who stood their ground despite the victimization in various levels and become successful in their chosen endeavours.
She expressed her profound gratitude to the Muslim lawyers, teachers, rights groups and others who have defended the rights of Muslim students.
Gidigbih, then charged all stakeholders to support students and workers who cannot do without using the hijab asking them for equal opportunities to learn and grow to further build the society.