The National President, National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), Comr. Amb. Mahmud Abubakar has commended the Kwara state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the appointment of Miss Adeyi Kaosara into his cabinet, and the way the governor has handled the Hijab saga in the state.

A statement from the NANCES presidency obtained by the FidelinfoNews also called for peaceful coexistence amongst religious and ethnic groups in the state.

“I join the league of Kwarans and Nigerians across the world who continue to sue for peaceful co-existance between all ethnic and religious groups in the State and across Nigeria reiterating that our diversity must always be positively exploited and used as an inspiration for our collective growth and development as a State and Nation. We do not need a reason to be divided now but every reason to stand united in the light of the multiple storms staring us in the face as Citizens” the statement read.

It added that “It is an exciting sight to behold that yet again our Children/Wards can learn together in the same classrooms and play fields devoid of prejudice of any kind or form; this is the foundation they need to build the future we all desire for Kwara and Nigeria”.

The statement also commended the ‘people driven leadership orientation’ of the governor, which has redefined the status of the state.

“Your sustained commitment to the involvement of Youths in governance which you re-affirmed with the nomination of Kaosarah Adeyi (A Kwara Youth of high repute and great substance) as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Engagements further defines your clear vision to get youths involved in the rebuilding and rebranding of the Kwara they will own tomorrow”, the statement added.

The NANCES President further stated “I wish to reiterate my Commitment to continue to use my experience and position as a youth leader and activist to support all pro-development campaigns to grow Kwara and Nigeria. I make the Clarion call to all Youths across Nigeria to do same, now more than ever before is the time to channel our energy to the cause of helping rediscover our country and making it all she can and should be”.

The Kwara State Government has rejected Thursday’s Judgement of the National Industrial court, on the dissolution of some commissions.

The FidelinfoNews gathered that the affected commissions in the Judgement are the Civil Service Commission, the Kwara State House of Assembly Commission and the Kwara Independent Electoral Commission.

A statement by the press secretary, Ministry of Justice Oyinloye Olushola said “The government rejects the judgment and will be appealing same. The appeal will involve an application for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Honourable Court”.

A bill seeking to provide mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the constitution and other international laws that recognizes the right of female adorning hijab in public and private establishments in Nigeria has passed second reading on the floor of the house of Representatives.

The FidelinfoNews gathered that the bill titled “Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021” was sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and member representing Bida/Gbako//Katcha Federal Constituency, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi.

In a statement by the Lawmakers’ Senior Legislative Aide, Engr. Dodo Almustapha, Hon. Saidu declared that the issue of religious discrimination is one of the most prevalent menaces in the country that has hindered national peace, unity and development.

The Lawmaker gave instances where some citizens lose their jobs/employment opportunities, or even outrightly hindered from having access to healthcare, education, finance, employment only on the basis that they profess a religion or that they manifest their religious belief.

He said “In October 2016, a qualified radiographer, Hawawu Saliu Olatunji, was disallowed from partaking in a job interview by the former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of one of the Federal Medical Centers in Nigeria on the ground that she wore a hijab. Also, on 17th December 2017, Amasa Firdaus was barred from being called to the Nigerian bar only because she adorned a hijab. It took the intervention of the National Assembly and intense advocacy from civil society organizations before she was eventually called to the Bar.

Hon. Saidu assured that when the Bill is passed into law, “it will address discriminatory conducts and prohibits religious discrimination concerning hiring or recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, it will prohibit qualifying/Professional Bodies, educational institutions, and employment agencies, and other sectors from discriminating against persons, students or personnel based on their religious belief or its manifestation.