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CAN condemns expulsion of two corps members for refusing to wear trousers
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned in clear terms the decision by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to expel two corps members over their refusal to wear trousers or shorts for religious reasons.
The CAN leadership in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN president, Rev. Adebayo Oladeji, said the two female corps members -Okafor Love Obianuju and Odji Oritsetsolaye – who were both expelled at the weekend, should not be victimised for holding on to their faith.
The Christian umbrella body also urged the NYSC to be more tolerant.
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CAN said: “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, religious right is an inalienable right that must be respected. They must allow the people to practise 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 satanic.”
It advised the affected corps members to go to court, recalling the way the Muslims sued the Nigerian Law School over the hijab controversy.
It added: “We advise the victims of that injustice to go to court and challenge their expulsion by the NYSC.”
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