The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerian governors to judiciously use their monthly security votes to form a formidable security network.

This, they said, will help to curb incessant security challenges bedevilling the country.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Director of MURIC gave the advice at the 2022 World Hijab Day Public Lecture, organized by the Coalition of Muslim Women of Nigeria, held at the National Mosque in Abuja.

According to Akintola, the responsibility of securing the country doesn’t depend on the Federal Government alone, but all governors and local government council chairmen have a shared responsibility.

He advised state governors to provide support to security agencies in their various states.

Meanwhile, he noted that the monthly security votes being claimed by most governors are meant to be dedicated to the provision of securing infrastructure not to be shared or diverted.

“Security votes are meant to support security agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

“It is very imperative for the 36 state governors to form or create a formidable security network to support security agencies to reduce insecurity to the barest minimum.

Commenting on World Hijab Day, Akintola said the hijab is a symbol of love, adding that whoever discriminates against a single woman who uses the hijab, discriminates against the entire nation.

He said female students who wear hijab in schools need to be given the freedom to use it because it is a mere headcover that does no harm to anyone.

Quoting section 38, subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution, Akintola said it guarantees all forms of religion.

“Therefore, hijab should be allowed in schools. There should be no hindrance to the use of hijab.”

Akintola said that school uniforms should be redesigned in such a way that it reflects the diverse cultures in the country.

NAN