“We also wish to seek the cooperation of the Ministry as a reputable organ of the State to also toe the line of its counterpart in Lagos State by breaking its perceived silence on the matter, and issuing a similar circular to reflect the state’s continued stance on adherence to the rule of law, peace and order.”

Those are the words of the Ogun State Area Unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, in a letter written to the Ogun State Government on the issue oh Hijab usage in public schools in the State.

The Organisation in the letter dated 4th January, 2023 signed by its President and Secretary, Adigun AbdulFatah and Salaudeen Umar respectively, and addressed to the State Commissioner for Education, maintained that the Supreme Court judgement in SC.910/2016 delivered on the 17th of June, 2022 was elaborately succinct.

It further explained obedience and compliance with pronouncements of the courts, especially the highest court of the land, is a demand of the democratic culture and extant principle that has sustained global democracy without exception.

It described the pronouncement of the court as a legendary decision and a benevolent gift to all female Muslim students anywhere in the country, and Ogun State, adding that the State cannot afford to disaffiliate given her track record of civility and refinery.

“We refer to a groundbreaking judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria SC.910/2016 delivered on the 17th of June, 2022 by their Lordships.

“The pronouncement which unequivocally reaffirmed the right of female Muslim Students across Nigeria o use Hijab within and outside of the public school premises are elaborately terse, clear and devoid of any ambiguity.

“Only recently, the Lagos State Government which had earlier challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal on the matter finally succumbed to the yearnings of the good people of the State by issuing a celebrated circular to all schools within its coverage, expressing its desire to obey the judgement and directing compliance o same in their respective domains.

“Hounourable Commissioner Sir, it is no longer news that when a judgement is delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria, it is the demand of the democratic culture and obedience, as well as compliance follows without delay. It is thus most compelling when the highest court in the land is involved.

“This is the extant principle that has sustained global democracy without exception. That legendary decision, without any iota of contradiction, is a benevolent gift to all female Muslim students anywhere in the country, and Ogun State, given her track record of civility and refinery cannot afford to disaffiliate!”

In the letter which was copied to all security agencies in the State, the Attorney General, Ogun State; National Human Rights Commission; Muslims Lawyers Association of Nigeria; Muslims Teachers Association of Nigeria; All Principals of Secondary School and the Ogun State Muslim Council, the Association maintained that it has prepared its members in Secondary School to adorn hijab on resumption for the term.

“It is on the strength of this that we indicate our full preparedness to abide by the generous judgment by asking our members to adorn themselves with a shoulder-length hijab on resumption on Monday, 9th January, 2023 in all the schools covered by the judgement, God’s willing.

“While appreciating your understanding, and anticipating your swift response to the above, we wish to restate our commitment aforementioned to the realization of January 9th target for the liberation of our female members from the shackles of suppression to which they have long been entangled.”

MSSN cautioned that is has not authorized or mandated any individual or group to act on its behalf on the issue.