Obasanjo Commends Aregbesola for Religious Neutrality

• Says Gov’s utterance doused tension on court ruling on hijab

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend had very strong commendation for the Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, for being neutral in matters relating to religion.

The former Nigerian president said the religious unrest that greeted the court ruling permitting the use of female head scarf, “hijab”, in Osun public schools was one good example.

Obasanjo, Chairman at the handover ceremony of a multi-purpose hall and a library donated by Senator Yinka Omilani to Ode-Omu community, stated that the recent utterances of Aregbesola on the court verdict on hijab has doused tension in the state.

Aregbesola had, in the wake of the controversy that trailed the order of court allowing the use of hijab said he had at no time ordered the use of hijab in schools, noting that since he could not order his wife and daughter on the use of hijab, he could not have done that with Osun.

Obasanjo, who was represented by Gbaabile of Egbaland, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi said the statement from the governor confirmed his neutrality in the conflict over the use of hijab by female Muslim students in public schools in the state.

He said, “He (Obasanjo) is in China now. He said the governor (Aregbesola) said something which confirmed his neutrality in the matter; that word went a long way in dousing the tension which recently heightened in the state.”

Obasanjo described the donor, Senator Omilani, a former Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West,as a great philanthropist, noting that his contribution to his community, Osun State and Nigeria at large can never be overlooked.

He urged the community to make the judicious use of the facilities which he described as a significant legacy.
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Speaking as the Chief Guest of Honour, Aregbesola reaffirmed his administration’s determination on provision of infrastructures in nooks and crannies of the state regardless of the current economic situation.

Further details later