CAN react to NYSC Dismissal of 2 Female Corps Members.
Recall that two female 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.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials for dismissing two female corps members who refused to wear shorts and trousers based on their religious belief in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
CAN 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 victimized for holding onto their faith.
The cleric urged the NYSC to be more tolerant rather than being strict.
CAN Reactions;
“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 evil.”
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 the bar because she refused to remove her hijab.
What’s your take on the reaction from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) based on the dismissal of the 2 female corps members?
