No hijab, No skirts- NYSC

The Senate has rejected a bill seeking to amend the National Youth Service Corps Act to allow the uniforms worn by corps members to accommodate their religious beliefs.

This new law would have enabled female corp member to wear skirts and hijab.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-South), while leading the debate for the second reading at the plenary last week said the proposed amendment sought to amend Sections 13 and 16 of the principal act.

He said the amendment was to “increase the penalty for the offences contained in the Act to make such fines reflect the present value of the naira.”

He also said the amendment was intended to “ensure that regulations made by the NYSC directorate prescribing uniforms and exercise regimen do not violate the religious practices and beliefs of corps members.”

Although in years past, and even presently, corpers have been seen to have voluntary converted the uniforms to skirts and also been spotted with their caps resting on the hijab, all based on strong religious beliefs.

Should the law still be contemplated upon?