All Posts in "Day: June 18, 2022"

Experts Identify Gaps In FG’s Financial Inclusion Target 

Experts in the nations financial sector have identified gaps in the set objectives by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to significantly reduce the number and percentage of adult Nigerians who are excluded from the formal financial system in Nigeria

Speaking at the inaugural conference of Oriental News Nigeria with theme “Engaging with critical groups to develop effective financial inclusion initiative” which held on Thursday at the Sheraton hotel Ikeja Lagos, Dr Uju Ogubunka, CEO Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, stated that  the financial inclusion policy of the federal government which commenced in 2012 was aimed  at ensuring that no Nigerian is short changed in its financial intermediation policies and economic development plans.

Ogubunka said that the government  then out of the 84 percent financially excluded population, targeted to achieve 20 percent financial inclusion by year 2020.

“The adult population has now increased above 84 percent and the unbanked population  has also increased remarkably. If the people are outside the financial  system, the economy will not develop” Ogubunka stated.

According to him,financial inclusion commences with opening bank account, which factors in the account holder towards benefiting from all forms of government’s  financial support as the account drives all other transactions of the account holder.

“As some of us will remember, the CBN initiated the National Financial Inclusion Programme in year 2012 that is, about a decade ago. The Programme is kind of a response to the discovery from a study in 2010 that about 39.2 million or 46.3% of the then 84.7 million adult population in the country were excluded from the formal Nigerian Financial System.

“That meant that 45.5 million or 53.7% of the 84.7 million were included in the system. It was also noted that of the excluded 39.2 million adult Nigerians, about 21.3 million or 54.4% were females; meaning that about 17.9 million (i.e. 45.6%) were males. So, females accounted for a higher number and percentage of the excluded than males. On the other hand, males accounted for a higher number and percentage of those included in the Nigerian Financial System.” he stated.

Ogubunka said the developments were identified to have adverse implications for the financial system and the economy, especially as almost half of the financial resources in the country were in the hands of people operating outside the formal financial system.

He said:”Consequent on the foregoing, the CBN saw the need to redress it. Thus, it floated the Financial Inclusion programme and supported it with a Strategy Document tagged ”National Financial Inclusion Strategy”  that encapsulated, among many othe
things, the Strategy Objectives, Strategy Stakeholders and their Interests, and Key Financial Inclusion Targets. The initiative targeted a reduction of the rate of the excluded from 46.3% to 20% come year 2020. ( i.e. a reduction of 26.3%), meaning that the percentage of the included would rise to 80% from 53.7% within the same period.”

He said, Stanmeg Communication publishers of Oriental News, Nigeria, have provided this platform for the audience here gathered to brainstorm and contribute towards achieving total inclusion of all eligible adult Nigerians in the financial system in order to drive and attain higher growth and development in both the financial system and the national economy, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“I am impressed with this provided opportunity and therefore congratulate the organisers for their initiative which is worthy of emulation. By this, they have shown that they are concerned and serious minded stakeholders in the Nigerian financial system and of colours, the economy.”

The guest speaker, Mallam Garba Kurfi, Managing Director APT Securities and Fubds Limited, expressed  that financial inclusion policy of the government helps to ensures that funds that could have been deployed for entrepreneurial initiatives don’t end up in cupboards at homes.

In his presentation,Managing Director; CEO Arms Securities Limited, Mr Rotimi Edu, representing  Mallam Kufre,  said that the government is recording remarkable progress in the financial inclusion target, adding more hands are on deck to ensure that economic advantage of the country’s  large population translates to financial benefits to the people and institutions.

The government, he stated has designed  financial support initiatives for rural women, artisans, petty traders, the financially disadvantaged, which can only be extended to only people who operates bank accounts.

He added that funds are aggregated through savings in banks, investments in capital market or taking  policies in insurance companies, such funds are further deployed to boost the economy through lending or for institutional growth.

In her opening address, Editor Oriental News Nigeria , Mrs Yemisi Izuora, explained  that the conference was conceived by Stanmeg  Communications, publishers of Oriental News Nigeria after a painstaking study of  the progress and prospects of the financial inclusion policy in the country since inception in 2012.

“ The conference is being organised given that the past couple of years , the federal government and stakeholders in the financial sector have had to deal with expanding financial services tp large community of underserved pupulation and dealing with resilience challenges brought about by confluence of events that have taken place”  Izuora stated.

Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) David O. Anyaele, however,implored  the federal government as well as the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN)  to expand the nation’s  financial inclusion policy to include provisioning for the disabled people in the society.

He faulted the sustained lack of considerations for the disabled in the Nigerian financial system through different kinds of neglect and rights denials.

He said that audit of bank branches across the country showed the total absence or lack of  access and convenience facilities for the disabled.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Brands&Marketing 0
Catholic Church Proscribes  Fr Mbaka Adoration Ministry 

The Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev Fr  Ejike Mbaka, has been banned  from holding adoration service indefinitely.

The ban was announced in a statement signed by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga

The action came after Mbaka described the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi as a stingy man

The church banned all Catholics faithfuls and clergy from having anything to do with Adoration ministry.

The statement said: “In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu; capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings; and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry. and after having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated; and in fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and. morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.

“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church.I enjoin all the Christian Faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka and the Catholic Diocese of Enugu as i entrust him and the Diocese to the maternal care and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles”

admin by — June 18, 2022 in News 0
Nigeria Should Play Preeminent Role In Global Energy Transition -Sylva

Nigeria should play a leading role in global energy transition in order to achieve net-zero CO2 emission, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva,has said .

Sylva,who said this at the 10th year anniversary celebration of West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) on Friday, in Lagos,also disclosed that government is also taking steps to expand and develop his huge gas resources through enhanced gas exploration, development and utilisation schemes.

Nigeria,he said, has approximately 209 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserve, with a potential upside of 600TCF.

He added:“This is well placed to take a leading role in providing the much needed gas.Furthermore, the recently enacted Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) will undoubtedly support Nigeria’s, and indeed the global, endeavor to eliminate energy poverty as envisioned in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).The PIA has generous incentives to enhance the development, distribution, penetration, and utilisation of gas, even as it incentivizes entry into the midstream,” he said.

Sylva said Nigeria and Africa should play a leading role in the energy transformation in order to achieve net-zero emission with natural gas playing a pivotal role.

He said the government should therefore persist in expanding the natural gas industry towards global economic recovery and shared prosperity.

“This is vital, taking into consideration that the current world population of about 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100, according to United Nations estimates.

“About a half of the increases between 2017 and 2050 is expected from five nations in Africa – Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda,” he said.

On the 10th year anniversary of WAPCo, the minister said its establishment represents the region’s effort at self-development and energy security.

According to him, West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP) project objective at inception, amongst others, seeks to improve the competitiveness of the energy sectors in Ghana, Benin, and Togo.

“This is by promoting the use of cheaper and environment-friendly natural gas from Nigeria in lieu of solid and liquid fuels, for power generation and other industrial, commercial, and domestic uses.Ten years down the line, the WAGP has literally become the poster child of economic integration in West Africa.

“The synergy that created this fellowship of industry players, under the public-private partnership banner, is the type we currently preach as an administration.WAGP has contributed tremendously to the growth of the participating countries’ power sectors, boost industrialization, generate jobs, enhance revenue for the state parties, and improve infrastructure development.,” he said.

Mr Greg Germani, Managing Director, (WAPCo) said from conception through construction, all the way through the operational phase of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), Nigeria had constituted a constant and integral, part of the WAGP value chain.

“I also salute the vision and courage of ECOWAS and the commitment it took to navigate the complexities of forging a bond of four diverse nations, with two private concerns, to create this outstanding example of partnership and collaboration.As we traveled the entire stretch of the pipeline system, celebrating the successes and achievements of the WAGP and sharing our stories, I could only pause to marvel at the human spirit.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, 10 years of operations will certainly come with obstacles and challenges.However, WAPCo is now an efficient and dependable natural gas transporter to customers in Benin, Togo, and Ghana, supporting safe, cleaner, efficient, long-term, and secure power generation from gas supply sources in both Nigeria and Ghana.

“WAPCo continues to focus on maintaining an important safety accomplishment that reflects our passion for and commitment to a strong safety culture,” he said.

Speaking,Malam Mohammed Ahmed, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), said WAPCo had contributed to development, distribution, penetration, and utilisation of gas in Nigeria.

He said though the company had gone through different challenges, adding that it had made different achievements.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olalere Odusote, said the state government was ready to partner with WAPCo to create more employment for its people.

He commended the management of the company promoting the use of cheaper and environment-friendly natural gas from Nigeria in lieu of solid and liquid fuels.

He assured that the government of Lagos would continue to create conducive environment for business to thrive.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
CBN Unveils Fresh Moves To Tackle Forex Crisis

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),says it was looking beyond monetary policy measures to fix the country’s foreign exchange crisis.

The bank’s governor,Godwin Emefiele,who disclosed this at the maiden bi-annual Non-Oil Export Summit in Lagos, said monetary policies cannot sufficiently address the problem in the face of rising demand for foreign exchange for goods, services and other needs.

He described the RT200 FX Programme recently unveiled by the apex bank as one of such strategies.

Emefiele listed value-adding exports facility; non-oil commodities expansion facility; non-oil fx rebate scheme; dedicated non-oil export terminal and biannual non-oil export summit as the five pillars anchoring the programme.

He said the CBN has been working overtime to manage the demand and supply side to meet foreign exchange obligations.

Emefiele,who attributed the prevailing challenges of the local economy to COVID-19 pandemic, delays in global logistic value chains and local security challenges,expressed concern that the current sources of foreign exchange inflows were unreliable and prone to fluctuations of global economic developments.

He noted that the global economic challenges have impacted food production among others and exerted undue pressure on the economy, thereby exposing the fragility of the Nigerian economy and making macroeconomic management very difficult.

He emphasized the need for a more diversified economy, adding that monetary policy alone could not bear all the burden of the expected adjustments needed to manage the challenges to the Nigerian economy.

He added : “These problems call for urgent design and steadfast implementation of other supportive, structural and complementary policies that are broad based, coordinated and focused on complementing the work of the monetary authority.”

He implored all stakeholders to regroup by working together to reposition Nigeria on a growth trajectory by taking diversification of the economy much more seriously, emphasising that Nigeria had very little choice left but to look inwards and find innovative solutions to its challenges.

According to him,in order to avoid sudden adjustments to nation’s economic life, there was need to focus on strategies that can help the country earn more stable and sustainable inflows of foreign exchange.

He said: “We would need to follow the best practices of other countries and ensure that we protect ourselves a little bit from factors that are beyond our immediate control.

“This is the time to start working in synergy for the good of our nation. This is the time for us as a Banking Community to do more and support exporters who have been flying the flag of Nigeria in the international market space.”

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Banking&Finance 0
Afreximbank To Boost Intra-African Trade With $40bn

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will disburse $ 40 billion to support intra-African trade and investments in five years.

The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof Benedict Oramah,disclosed this at the start of the 29th Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2022) in Cairo.

He said that last year, the bank disbursed about $20 billion through its Intra-African trade division to pursue similar cause.

He added : “That had raised the intra-African trade share of the bank’s portfolio from three percent in 2016 to about 27per cent in 2021 and had enabled African contractors to bid for African infrastructure-related projects.Africa’s problems are for Africans to solve”

According to him,Afreximbank had intervened to assist the continent implement African solutions during challenging times, some with the support of other development partners and African institutions.

He expressed that with the creation of the African Vaccine Trust (AVAT), which enabled African Union (AU) member states to procure 400 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic through the AU’s Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), the notion that Africa cannot rise again had been debunked.

He complemented the resilience of the continent during the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that positive stories emanating from particular countries like Egypt, which had invested over 62 billion US Dollars over the past six years in massive infrastructural transformation, were a manifestation of the continent’s ability to achieve whatever it desired for its people.

“Notwithstanding the increased frequency of crises, we must not lose sight of the fundamental challenges that Africa must resolve. We can no longer accept that after 60 years of independence, Africa remains financially and economically fragmented. We can no longer continue to espouse the benefits of an integrated continent but do little to achieve it,” said Oramah.

On the ongoing Ukraine crisis, . Oramah appreciated the new challenges posed to Africa, including difficulties in accessing grains, fertilisers and petroleum products, and noted that Afreximbank had stepped in with the 4 billion US dollar Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade Finance Programme for Africa (UKAFPA) to help countries to contain the short-term impacts of the crisis.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Banking&Finance 0
Oyo Elevates 7, 460 Teachers

The Oyo State Government has presented 9,227/letters of promotion to primary school teachers on Grade level 13-15 in the State.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran,disclosed this during the symbolic presentation of 2017-2020 letters to 7,460 teachers in the state.

He said the pending promotion letters are in fulfillment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s promises to teachers in the state.

According to him,the category of teachers who received their letters of promotion were placed on a six years waiting period by the previous administrations, adding that this policy had affected the morale of teachers in public primary schools, because their counterparts in the secondary schools were not affected by the policy.

He said:“I am pleased to be here this morning at the official presentation of Promotion letters to our teachers from the grade level 13 to 15. You are all aware that a similar programme was held in October, 2021 for teachers and non-teaching staff”.

He commended Seyi Makinde for his love for teachers, which was demonstrated by the approval granted, that six years waiting period be reverted with immediate effect.

“This by implication means that all teachers affected are going to enjoy their promotions with a month’s arrears and this takes financial effect from the month of June, 2022”, he said.

Dr. Adeniran added that teachers that have retired from service, in the course of processing the approval for the lifting of the six year waiting period will also enjoy the promotion due to them, simply by applying for the re-computation of their gratuity and pension in line with the Pension Act.

He said:“The present administration has positively impacted the lives of both public and civil servants because of its people oriented policies. In view of this, I want to admonish all our teachers to ensure that, to whom much is given, much is expected”.

He called for the support of teachers, adding that the state government, under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership has left no stone unturned to better the lot of teachers in the state.

“This administration will request your support to enjoy continuity of prompt payment of salaries and promotion as and when due, as well as, a conducive working milieu”, he said.

Dr. Adeniran acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT) and Association of Primary School Head-teachers of Nigeria, (AOPSHON) Oyo State Branch to the success of this exercise.

“In all, a total number of 9,227 letters of promotion were produced for teachers on GL. 13-15.This has taken care of those that will benefit from two promotions. Once again, I wish to admonish all teachers to be patient and appreciative of the present administration’s various kind gestures, geared towards ameliorating their sufferings, improving their career progression and their well-being, all of which are unprecedented.

“These gestures can only be reciprocated by being more committed to their duties at all times, with a view to ensuring improved learning outcomes in our schools”, Adeniran added.

In his remarks,the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji,assured that the governor’s gesture would never be forgotten, adding that this would further encourage teachers in primary schools to deliver good, qualitative and efficient education to the pupils across the state.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Education 0
Harassment: Oil Marketers Shut Filling Stations In Oyo

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Friday ordered a total closure of all filling stations in Oyo state over alleged harassment and intimidation by officers of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Squad.

The Oyo state chapter’s chairman of the association, Alhaji Bukola Mutiu,who disclosed the current action to newsmen in Ibadan, linked the ongoing fuel scarcity across the state to high cost of diesel as well as inability of Oyo State based petroleum marketers to load fuel directly from Ibadan depot.

He noted that the leadership of the association has been managing the crises for a very long time before the matter degenerated due to increment in price of the diesel as well as the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as Petrol.

He added: “it is so unfortunate that all the depot in South West are not working, we can’t load from Ibadan depot here, we need to travel to Lagos or far East to buy from some local marketers that bought the fuel from NNPC.”

“Sometimes we buy at the rate of N158-N159 per liter and lately it has increase and by the time we add transport cost which is N18 per liter then you will see that there is no how we will sell at the government pump price of N165 and that is the reason why you see some of us selling at N180 per liter, government should find a way to deregulate the oil sector.”

“Government should give us a leveling playing ground, we have ordered for a total shut down of all filling stations across the state because some officers that claimed to be IGP monitoring squad have been intimidating and harassing our members for non compliance with government regulation pump price, and as I’m talking to you now, five of our filling stations have been sealed, while some of our members have been arrested.”

“We are calling on government to clear the air on who has the mandate is to seal the filling station over any suspected irregularities, we are only aware of the Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) which has the mandate to seal any filling station that violates government regulations, but nowadays we have no fewer than six uniform agencies under Nigeria Police Force coming to claim the mandate of DPR which is now known as Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Authority.”

“Two of our filling stations have been shut in Iseyin, while three were shut in Akinyele local government area of Ibadan metropolis, and some of our members were molested, harassed and arrested, when has it become the mandate of the IGP Squad to be enforcing law at filling stations, we believed they were carved out to monitor the activities of illegal bunkering and the likes, so we are calling on the government to come to our rescue by telling the masses who has the mandate to zeal the filling stations, they are all aware of the situation we are passing through, how can we been using huge sum of money for transportation of fuel commodity from Lagos to our various destinations and still expect us to sell at normal price, they need to show us alternative way of getting the fuel without paying for transportation.”

“Only NNPC are the one importing fuel into this country, and they are the one selling for those local marketers that we buy from, and those people sells at increasing price on daily basis, it is time for government to intervene, they should allow the NNPC to be selling directly to us via our various depots in the south west, if we can load fuel from Ibadan depot here, the transportation burden will no longer be there again.”

“I’m the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Of Nigerian in Oyo state, Osun and some parts of Kwara and Ondo, so of this situation is not address, then there is likely that we will extend the shut down to those states,” Mutiu said.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
Katsina, UNICEF Introduce Cash Transfer Scheme For 20,000 Students

Katsina State Government, United Nations Children Education Fund,UNICEF and partners,Friday launched a cash transfer programme that would provide learning opportunities for over 20,000 out-of-school children in the state.

Alli-Hakeem Anike, Communication Officer,Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships
United Nations Children’s Fund,conveyed this in a statement,adding that the measure would improve the socio-economic wellbeing of beneficiaries and their households.

Alli-Hakeem Anike said :”There are currently 536,132 out of school children in Katsina State.The partnership between Katsina State Government and UNICEF has yielded many positive results, not just in the education sector, but in other sectors of the state,” said Rt. Honourable Aminu Bello Maisari, Governor of Katsina State at the launch in Mani.

“We are grateful to UNICEF and the Educate A Child (EAC) project for the funds. The Programme Implementation Unit for the cash transfer programme will monitor the programme closely and ensure that the beneficiaries make judicious use of the resources,” added governor Maisari.

Through the cash transfer programme, a total of ₦332,832,000 will be disbursed to 20,802 out-of-school children (OOSC) and Almajiris in Kafur, Mani and Safana LGAs of Katsina State. The funds will be disbursed through 10,557 female parents/caregivers to increase school enrolment and attendance rates for boys and girls.

Each female parent/caregiver will receive N8,000 per tranche twice in 2022, amounting to N16,000.per beneficiary.

The cash transfer programme will also ensure that beneficiaries are enrolled and retained in any form of organized school, including Integrated Qur’anic Schools (IQS) and provided with literacy and numeracy skills linked to employability and livelihood schemes.

The cash transfer programme is being delivered together with the birth registration programme which has so far seen registration of 20,400 children. Social workers will be equipped with required skills to track and reunify children living on the street or similar situations with their families, thereby ensuring family-based care for children. Already, 50 Mallams of Tsangaya schools in three LGAs have been trained on safeguarding and keeping children safe from violence and abuse in their facilities.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in Education 0
Akeredolu Blames Self,FG For Owo Massacre

 

Ondo State government and Catholic church family on Friday held a funeral mass for victims of attack on workshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo, Ondo State.

At the funeral service, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu blamed himself and the Federal Government for failing to protect the victims and survivors of the attack.

He emphasized that the security structure of the country must be restructured to stem the rise in criminality in the country.

Akeredolu said: “We have failed to defend these people. Not because we have not tried. But because these forces on the other side are evil and they have supports. They will not triumph over us forever.When I see the sea of heads that are here, it speaks volume. What has happened to us in Owo in Ondo State is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it. Dastardly, horrendous. But I still believe there are words to use to describe it but I’m still short of those words.

“We have just 22 (deceased) in this hall. A few of them have been buried. Because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people.”

In his sermon, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade, declared that Akeredolu has not failed in protecting his people.

He said: ”You didn’t fail. You are a strong soldier. Your determination to protect those who voted you into power is unquestionable. This was done by cowards. You have tried your best.”

He questioned why the Federal Government resisted the clamour for state police even in the face of endless attacks and killings across the country.

He commended the governor for designating a memorial park in honour of the victims, stressing that those who created the situation that made the incident happened have bloods on their hands.

The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo, in his message, called on relatives of the victims to take heart and allow God to fight their battle.

He said: “It will not be an exaggeration at all to begin this funeral mass with Psalm 22 where David said: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” This is not a homily, am happy to preach at all. And it is not an occasion which any of you ever pray to witness in this side of the world of our country.No doubt, we all gather today in deep sorrow and mourning, for this funeral mass of over 40 of our departed people who were brutally murdered, mindlessly massacred while at worship at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Pentecost Sunday.

admin by — June 18, 2022 in News 0
Public Students In Lagos Can Wear Hijab, Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court, Friday, quashed the ban by the Lagos state government on the use of Hijab by female Muslim students in its public primary and secondary schools.

The decision was made by a 7-man panel of Justices of the apex court, in a split decision of five to two.

By the verdict, the panel has affirmed the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal Lagos, which had set aside a judgement of the High Court that restricted female students from wearing Hijab with their school uniforms.

In a lead majority judgement that was prepared by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun but read by Justice Tijani Abubakar, the Supreme Court dismissed as lacking in merit, the appeal by the Lagos state government against the appellate court’s decision.

The apex court said it found no reason to reinstate the October 17, 2014 judgement by Justice Grace Onyeabo of the High Court of Lagos State, which upheld the ban on Hijab.
The court gave the judgment in an appeal – Lagos State Govt. and Ors V. Asiyat AbdulKareem with suit number SC/910/16.

Justice Kekere-Ekun held that the ban on hijab was discriminatory against Muslim students in Lagos state.

Four other justices of the court agreed with the lead judgment,but two justices dissented.
Other Justices on the panel were Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice Uwani Aji, Justice Mohammed Garba, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, and Justice Emmanuel Agim.

Meanwhile,the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has expressed satisfaction over the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Hijab controversy in public schools in Lagos, warning against the harassment of students, going forward.

MSSN in a statement,said the judgement will now give Muslim students the liberty to wear their Hijabs without fear of molestation or intimidation.

The President) of the association in Lagos, Miftahudeen Thanni, warned teachers and government officials against harassment of female Muslim students.

Thanni, who commended the supreme court judgement, also said the apex court verdict should put a stop to the “undue” punishment of students willing to wear the hijab.

He added that the judgement has deepened the students’ and Nigerians’ confidence in the judiciary, saying there should not be any violation of human rights against the students.

He urged the state government not to delay the implementation of the judgement.

“The judgement simply means that though hijab is not mandatory in Lagos schools, Muslim students who wish to wear it are free to do so and is legally allowed.The government should not be waging war against youths who chose to cover their nakedness while encouraging those who walk naked and engage in illicit acts in public.

“We hereby urge all stakeholders to be law-abiding for a peaceful implementation of the judgement.There should be no violation of human rights against our students while we expect an immediate implementation of the judgement in all schools across the state. We urge the government not to delay implementation.

Public Students In Lagos Can Wear Hijab,Supreme Court Rules

admin by — June 18, 2022 in News 0