Govt engaging stakeholders on Hijab crisis - AbdulRazaq

Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq has said the Hijab crisis is being tackled through engagements with stakeholders from the Muslim and Christian communities.

He spoke during a security council meeting with commanders of security agencies.

The governor said another engagement was slated for yesterday (Tuesday) to firm up the government’s position on the issue.

Controversy erupted late last week when Muslim stakeholders insisted that their daughters and wards in grant-aided mission schools in the state must be allowed to wear Hijab.

This prompted the government to close down 10 grant-aided mission secondary schools in Ilorin.

A Government House statement said the government assured the citizens that it would protect lives and property.

The statement added that the meeting was attended by the governor, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi and other members of the council.

Other highlights of the meeting included an upcoming joint security meeting between Kwara and Niger states to curtail kidnapping, banditry and other crimes, as well as a military operation this week in the forests by the two states to dislodge criminals from the area.

“The council also discussed proposed regulations of specific transport operators in synergy with their umbrella bodies to curb crimes, as well as renewed efforts of the administration to reposition Operation Harmony to improve the mobility and joint operations among the security forces.

“The governor briefed the council about the national strategies to tackle the farmers-herders crisis such as ranching and its funding under the National Livestock Transformation Programme, and the need for Nigerians to live in peace and harmony and respect one another’s economic rights.

“He said there are efforts to douse tension between herders and farmers through initiatives that would phase out open grazing in exchange for a permanent settlement for the herders.

“AbdulRazaq said the government would engage stakeholders to maintain peace and harmony between the two economic groups in the state,” the statement said.