On suspension of Ikhlas Badiru
It's so agonizing when you show one what is right but he insists on what is wrong. It is also agonizing when you turn a donkey against firewood but he insists on rummaging it.
It is very important, sometimes, that we step out of the arena of religion and speak by our virtue of being human. Sometimes, what Africans do not know is that in trying to fight a particular religion they fight their brethren. They end up pleasing the white men who always inflame the fire of perdition between us but we do not know. Hence, the poem of Agada when he describes Africans as Fulani Cattle who undulate in agony.
Without wasting much of ink, I choose to condemn the suspension made by University of Ibadan International School on one Ikhlas Badiru, simply because she wears Hijab.
I will say first of all, what they did is ultra vires to the rules of the school as it goes against the provision of Section 38 of 1999 CFRN as amended in 2011.
It is also irrational to suspend one by virtue of things she wears or if I may say, by trying to appear modest.
Some of us also think if they hide under authority and maliciously harm one with a different creed is an act of worship. But this is taking us nowhere, to hate someone because of his faith. I'm sure the hijab of Ikhlas is not worn or forced on their body let alone disturb them. So by extension, Ikhlas' Islam is what disturbs them.
Let me also remind this institution and other institutions or bodies with similar ill intentions that gone are the days of hatred of one on basis of his conviction. If there is anything the whole world needs as a universal religion is humanity, and your act is inhumane.
I therefore appeal to Ministry of Education and our lawmakers to kindly intercede. And the authority of this school owe this little kid who does not say that Western education is sinful a public apology and a quick withdrawal of their suspension letter. As a social critic we will continue to comment on anything that goes wrong not only in our country but in the entire continent even if that will cost us our life.
Ibrahim Salihu Kabo faculty of Law A.B.U. Zaria kaboibrahimsalihu@ gmail.com