Former students of the Oyun Baptist High School (OBHS) Ijagbo in Oyun local government area of Kwara State have said the recent bloody clash in the school over hijab (veil) wearing by female students was politically motivated.
They cautioned government and other stakeholders to eschew incendiary utterances.
Spokesperson of the 1984 set of the school, who doubles as the Olu Omo of Ijagbo land, Chief Tunde Adesina told THE NATION in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on the sidelines of a reunion and teachers appreciation ceremony of the set.
Chief Adesina appealed to the State Government to resolve the row with alacrity for the sake of the students.
According to hin: “The recent hijab row in the school is very unfortunate that it is happening now. More so that we are really preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school.
“As a matter of fact, during our time there nobody discriminated on religious lines. Both Christians and Muslims were allowed to practice their faith.
“But when you look at the political terrain of Nigeria now, all interests are based on politics.
“Come to think of it, the row is not really religion. There is some element of politics on the whole issue. We need to be extremely careful the ways and manner we resolve disputes. We need to eschew sensitive utterances.
“Government has issued out a policy that does not go down well with a certain faith, despite that we need to dialogue and look at the way the policy could be reversed so that peace will reign again.
“I am more concerned is that we had some issues in the community before hijab incident– because I am from Ijagbo.
Peace was just returning before this came up again. The hijab controversy has further polarised the community along religious line.
“No government will succeed where there is peace. Government should therefore weigh the options and bring challenge in our hand to peaceful resolution in record time.
“As we speak now the school is under lock and key. The students are the ones losing.”
Lending his voice, one of the former teachers of the school Alhaji Ibiyeye B Razaq, said that the hijab palaver in the school was unfortunate.
“The incident is an unfortunate one. I don’t think that we should not quarrel over the issue of religion. I mean nobody can defend God.
“I am not happy that it went to the extent that the school would be shut.
“All through my stay in the school and the time it was closed down that kind of a thing did not happen.
“I just want to appeal to the government and for the sake of our children– the leaders of tomorrow that they should please get the school open,” he said.
On the award, the former mathematics teacher said “I am happy. When I saw the invite honestly I was surprised because it was 38 years ago.
And students that we were beating in those days can still remember to call and give us awards. This is one of my happiest days.”
THE NATION
