Yemisi Izuora
The Kwara Government has take a proactive measure to avert what may likely turn to religious crises by announcing that the 10 grant-aided missionary schools in the State remain shut down.
The decision is to help address the Hijab (religious veil) controversies.
This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Monday, March 8, in Ilorin.
“The government, therefore, directs school children and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced.
”The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times,” she said.
1st News had reported that 10 schools were on February 19, closed down temporarily over Hijab controversy in the state.
A Committee was set up by the government to find a solution to the issue.
The State Government on February 26, scheduled March 8, for the reopening of all the closed schools; after stakeholders agreed in a meeting held that Hijab be accepted as part of school uniform in schools.
The affected schools are C&S College Sabo Oke, St. Anthony Secondary School, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.
Other schools are CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba.
Before the government’s latest decision was announced, the Cherubin and Seraphin Church, Sabo-Oke, had started a seven-day prayer session; asking for God’s intervention in the hijab crisis.
Prophet Samuel Olukorode, Chairman Council of Prophets of the Church said that the prayers were to seek God’s intervention for the government; not to be misguided in taking a decision.
He told the media on Monday that the prayers were imperative so as to have peace when the schools were eventually reopened.
“We are here to pray to God because, in every circumstance, we need to pray. So, here we are to round off the prayers we have been having for the last seven days.
“We will continue to help the government with prayers because they need God’s direction.
“We pray that God should give them the wisdom to do the right thing and not to please man, but to please God.
“God will intervene because we have called to our side, His representative, Jesus Christ.
“We believe we will laugh at the end of the day,’’ he explained.