One has read and observed the various responses towards the Amasa Firdaus issue, being prevented from call to bar ceremony of the School of Law on Wednesday, 13th December, 2017 because she refused to remove her hijab.
Many organizations and individuals had made several submissions in this respect but most of the submissions, in my opinion are borne out of undue, misguided sentiments rather than considering the technicality of the profession in question, Law and morality of Fridaus action.
Most pathetic of it is the discovery that Amasa Fridaus was said to confess that her action was premeditated and well conceived. She called it a revolution, but indirectly she has failed to prove professional competence. She signed all law school forms accepting compliance despite her knowledge of the role which precedence play in her chosen career. The question is, will she be ready to address the unnecessary upset and challenges that follow her action. All over the world, professionals in the field of law knows and recognize that religion and myths are never a consideration in the practice of law. Those who are condemning the law school must also know this.
No one says that as a female lawyer, Fridaus must not practice her religion, but what she read is not Shariah law but common law and her training for five years with the one year in the law school should have trained her to know that there is a particular ethics in the profession and this is not to be jeopardized on the platform of sentiments, whether ethnic or religious. Just like non medics would not be competent to discuss issues among medical personnels, because of the technicalities of their job, so also it is unexpected that religious persons will make unsolicited imputs in issues relating to law, in my opinion, it is uncalled for. I think it is high time that those who want to practice religion must do so without interfering with the rights of others.
I am sure that those at the helm of affairs in the judiciary would do what is just and equitable because if they allow this Islamic borne sentiment to prevail, someday a Babalawo’s son will also ask to be allowed to put on his father’s charmed robe during the law school graduation and will be adjudged right to his request. Or what do we say if a typical Yoruba graduate decided to put on Agbada or kember traditional dress to law school graduation?
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has vehemently made contributions towards this matter, expressing their religious sentiments. Issue sentiment is one of the limiting factors in the nation preventing the nation from attaining its desired height in the comity of nations.
Good enough, all these little issues expose the level of education and understanding of our so called elites when they contribute to national issues, expressing unpatriotic sentiments and promoting their selfish agenda.
Personally, as a Christian, I remember attacking the presiding Bishop of my church when he allegedly made some statements in favour of Goodluck Jonathan against a Muslim candidate, Buhari. I also remember attacking Pastors who are accused of one issue or the other. I never spared any one on the platform of religion because as a journalist, I will never accept mediocrity for competence in the practice of my profession.
Our political elites should be ready enlighten the people on issues like this and stand up for the nation and not promoting religious sentiments. Unity in Nigeria and peace in Nigeria is far more important than the practice of religion or any selfish consideration that is aimed at currying undue sympathy from the people. God Bless Nigeria.
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