ILORIN HIJAB CONTROVERSY: Govt Closes 10 Schools
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The heated controversy over the putting on or otherwise of hijab has forced the Kwara State government to proactively ordered immediate closure of 10 grant aided schools in Ilorin, on Friday, February 19, 2021.
Reports has it that the hijab controversy has triggered a faceoff between Muslims and Christians in grant aided schools in the state capital, which may escalate if allowed to fester.
The closure is coming as a government committee raised on Thursday, comprising Muslim and Christian communities met on Friday to iron out differences between them on the question of hijab.
A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Mary Kemi Adeosun, in Ilorin, on Friday, “Appealed for calm and urged parents and religious leaders to avoid actions or comments capable of further splitting the two communities.”
“Further communication will be issued to inform members of the public on the development,” the statement added.
Recall that the state government at a marathon meeting on Thursday, set up a new committee aimed at resolving the differences on the hijab question in grant aided schools.
The meeting attended by religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian communities, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, who “appealed to all the leaders to respect their differences, live, love and join hands to raise a generation of children who will see one another as compatriots.”
The meeting was called by the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
The schools affected, were C & S College, Sabo Oke; St Anthony College, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.
Others were; St Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo Oke; St John School, Maraba; St Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale and James Secondary School, Maraba.
They will remain closed pending the resolution of the hijab controversy in the schools.
