CAN Reacts to Expulsion of Corpers Who Refused to Wear Shorts, Trousers

  • CAN advises affected corpers to sue NYSC.
  • Says the two ladies should not be victimised for holding on to their faith.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for expelling two corps members who refused to wear trousers or shorts for religious reasons.

It could be recalled that two female corps members – Okafor Love Obianuju, with call-up number EB/19C/0523; and Odji Oritsetsolaye, with call-up number EB/19C/0530 – were expelled from the 2019 Batch C Stream 1 in Ebonyi camp over the weekend over their refusal.

In an interview with Punch, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN President, Rev. Adebayo Oladeji, said the two ladies should not be victimised for holding on to their faith.

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Oladeji who cited an instance of the Nigerian Law School denying Firdausa Al Jannah Amasa from being called to Bar in 2017 because she refused to remove her hijab and the institution later retraced its steps, said the NYSC also ought to be more tolerant.

“The fundamental rights of the people as regards religion must be respected. And that is why, a few months ago, when some Muslim women were protesting over the wearing of hijab at the Law School, we refused to speak against it because it is their right and thank God, they won it.

“We are appealing to the leadership of the NYSC to revisit the matter.

“In this country, religious right is an inalienable right that must be respected. They must allow people to practise their religion,” the cleric said.

He further stated that if the government agencies have no regard for the way people worship God, then they are satanic.

“Any system that does not respect religion is satanic.”

He, therefore, advised the affected corps members to go to court, since the Muslims sued the Nigerian Law School over the hijab controversy.

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“We advise the victims of that injustice to go to court and challenge their expulsion by the NYSC,” he added.

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