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Niger State Government has denied recent reports that said it was against the wearing of hijab by teachers and students in the state.
At a meeting with principals, headmasters, and other critical stakeholders in the education sector last Saturday, the State Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Hadiza, was quoted as saying 'she'sees no reason why a female teacher will wear a hijab and be comfortable with her teaching'.
But the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, said the commissioner's statement was contextual and did not reflect the position of the state government on the use of hijab by women in any field of endeavour.
The CPS disclosed that the commissioner's meeting with the principals, headmasters, and other stakeholders was organised to sensitise them on the strategic plans of the Bago-led administration to boost education as well as the upcoming screening and competency test for teachers in the state.
He said the state government was not, and has never been, against the wearing of hijab, stressing that the commissioner's statement must have been misconstrued.
Mal. Bologi stated that the wearing of hijab was a religious obligation and that the Supreme Court had, in June last year, ruled that the constitution allows Muslim students and, by implications, teachers to wear hijab.
"Niger State is a law-abiding state. Since the Nigerian Constitution allowed Muslim students and teachers to wear the hijab, the state government has the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected," he further stated.
He also confirmed that the commissioner has since disowned the story banning the use of long hijab in public schools, stressing that it was the unfortunate handiwork of mischief makers.
The CPS noted that the commissioner, as a Muslim, was not unaware of the importance of hijab and could not have been an impediment to its use.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the said media report in circulation, stressing that it was just a calculated attempt targeted to discredit the commissioner as an individual and put the government in bad light.
The people of Doko Community in lavun local Government Area of Niger state, have been asked to embrace peace for the development of the area and the state in general.
The state Commissioner for Homeland Security Hon. Bello Abdullahi Muhammad, made the call while addressing the people of the community over the recent crises in the area.
He said crises of any nature, no matter how small or big, it does not bring development or peace, hence the need for them to remain united as brother and sisters.
According to him, Nupe people were well respected nationwide, stressing that in the history of Nupe communities, they were known for love and respect they show to their elders and urged them to keep on with culture.
He also described farming as major occupation of Nupe kingdom, adding that only the living can farm, hence there was need for the people to shun violence and embrace peace and to be their brothers keeper, while urging them to make good use of the arable land God gave them to promote socio-economic development of the area.
He further disclosed that government was aware of the letter forwarded to it, adding that the state Governor, Hon Mohammad Umaru Bago, was doing everything possible to look into the lingering issues in the community with a view to find a lasting solution to their problems.
On the pending litigation in court over the crises, the commissioner appealed to the communities to remain calm, adding that the court was taking time to study the case so as to arrive at amicable resolution on the matter.
He then prayed for quick recovery of the injured persons during the recent attack and hope that, such attack will not happen again in the nearest future, adding that the entire Doko people were one family and should do everything possible to remain one family.
Those on the entourage of the commissioner were the Niger State Commissioner of Police CP Shawulu Dan Mamman and the representative of the Director of DSS.
