CAN faults NYSC for expelling corpers who refused to wear shorts, trousers

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have faulted the
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for dismissing two female corps
members who refused to wear shorts and trousers for religous
reasons.

The corps members whose names were given as Okafor Love
Obianuju, with call-up number EB/19C/0523; and Odji Oritsetsolaye,
with call-up number EB/19C/0530, were sent home from the NYSC camp
in Enugu on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

Speaking on the dismissal of the ladies in an interview with
Punch, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN
President, Rev. Adebayo Oladeji, said the corps members should not
be victimised for holding their faith.

The cleric urged the NYSC to be more tolerant.

He said, “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, the religious right is an inalienable right
that must be respected. They must allow people to practice their
religion.

“If our government agencies have no regard for the way people
worship God, then it means they are satanic. Any system that does
not respect religion is satanic.”

Adebayo urged the affected corps members to go to court, citing
how Firdaus Amasa sued the Nigerian Law School in 2017 when she was
prevented from being called to bar because she refused to remove
her hijab.