I'm a product of Lagos State University, and if one must talk about religion injustice, Lagos State University, particularly Faculty of Law, is a classical example. So much to talk about but of most prominence is the line up of Courses we were made to learn. This hasn't changed till date.
In my first year, Islamic Law was made compulsory for both Christians and Muslims. We all took the Course because we had no choice. The rule was that it's either you take the course or you drop out. To make it more deadly, it's the only Course that was 4 units. All other Courses, including Nigeria Legal Method were 2 units. The implication is that, if you fail the Course, there is a high tendency that you may drop out. So, the helpless Christians were made to study Islamic Law Course so hard, and in this way, were forced to learn Islamic principles which is against their faith.
As a rule, if you mention the name of the prophet, you must add "Praise Be Unto Him". Our lecturer warned us that anyone who attempts his exam questions without this indication stands a risk of failing the Course. It was "adhere or you fail".
In 200 level, the only elective Course made available by my institution was Islamic Transaction Law. And the system is designed in a way that you must pick at least one elective Course to complete your units for the session, otherwise, you risk a chance of been withdrawn for under registration.
We were "compulsorily" made to learn a subject that's against our faith as Christians, an act which is clearly in breach of our fundamental right as eshrined in the Constitution, the same law those against the Body of Benchers are canvassing. I remember how my lecturer rebuked me for daring to raise such issue. Heaven didn't fall!
Some of my able lecturers and colleagues who are running this campaign online now supervised this act against us (with utmost respect sirs). They didn't remember the very right they are canvassing. The policy was against Christians and since Christians are not humans, they have no such constitutional right.
Even as I write, the situation is the same in my alma mater. Christians are still technically forced to study Islamic Law. Again, heaven is not falling. No one is talking about it.
I was going to tag some of my lecturers here but I suspect they may feel embarrassed. I know they are reading this. And so wish to pass this message.
If they feel not allowing Muslim sisters to wear hijab for 2 hours is against their fundamental right, what do they have to say about forcing the Christian faithfuls in LASU law faculty to learn Islamic principles for 2 years? Do we have two sets of Constitution governing us?
By the wordings of the Constitution, the right not to be forced to learn principles against one's faith is almost absolute and as such, the Christians in faculty of law, Lagos State University have more beautiful fight than the lady whose religion excesses were curtailed. How come we overlook the one whose right is almost absolute and are weeping over the one whose right is subjective?
We must learn not to create unnecessary tension in this country. I'm not a religion bigot. I'm only raising these issues to balance the equation. Justice, equity and fairness is all we seek.
If we must talk about the Body of Benchers, we must also talk about the injustice in my LASU!
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