USA applauds KWSG over educational development, religious tolerance

L-R: United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard; and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the International Women’s Day Awards Gala hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/UN Women in Lagos, on Saturday.

The Kwara State Government has again been applauded for its laudable achievements in the education sector and also for allowing religious tolerance to prevail in the state, especially during the recent hijab misconception that was recently witnessed in the state.

The Political Officer, Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Daniel Renna gave the commendation during a fact finding mission on the Hijab saga to the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.

According to him, “the Embassy of the United States of America is here to make enquiries on the hijab misconceptions that happened in the state recently and to know more on how the government was able to resolve the misunderstanding without favour or nepotism.

He, however, assured the present administration of their readiness to continue to partner with the state in its bid to create an enabling environment for effective and efficient teaching and learning for our future leaders in the state.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, appreciated the gestures and concerns of the Embassy of the United States of America on educational development in Kwara state.

She reiterated that the present administration will not relent on its efforts to promote religious harmony for peace and tranquility to reign in the state.

Hajia Modibbo also implored the Embassy to bring more programmes and projects that will compliment the efforts of the present administration in repositioning education sector for a greater tomorrow.

Earlier, in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Mary Kemi Adeosun had explained the steps taken by the State Government in resolving the misunderstanding that emanated from the use of hijab in public schools.

In her words, “When the issue started, the State Government engaged all related stakeholders including the Muslim and Christian communities. Thereafter a committee of enquiry was set up to ascertain the causes of the misunderstanding and the way forward”.

She further disclosed that after rigorous deliberations and consultations, the state Governor, Malalm AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, issued a policy statement that allowed and approved the use of ‘hijab’ by willing Muslim students in all public schools, including grant aided schools across the state.