The
Management of National Orthopedic Hospital in Igbobi, Lagos, may have
caused controversy by relieving two female nurses of their duties for wearing
hijab at work.
The nurses Fasilat Olayinka Lawal and Sekinat Sanusi were
asked to remove their hijabs and wear a nurse cap instead. They responded by
presenting a copy of a circular from Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
to the hospital authorities. The circular, dated February 11, 2002 (reference
number N&MCN/CMF/721/1/3), prescribes wearing either a nurse cap or a
shoulder-length hijab for female nurses.
The circular was signed by P. N.
Ndatsu, Secretary General/Registrar and sent to all directors of nursing and
their deputies, chief medical directors, chief executives and principals.
The nurses, however, found themselves exchanging letters of
complaint with the hospital authorities and have been prevented from entering
the ward and carrying out their official duty since April. They have also
appeared before a panel/disciplinary committee and the hospital management
board where they were asked to reconsider their position and take off their
hijabs. Otherwise, the management said, they would face insurbodination and
disobedience charges punishable by public service. Eventually, the two were
sacked.
The nurses retaliated by seeking legal advice and then
taking the matter to court.
Meanwhile, an anonymous source at the hospital told Vanguard
correspondent that the case was an eye-opener to other Muslim nurses, as they
were unaware of any official document permitting wearing hijab to work. Also,
nurses of other medical institutions across Nigeria (for instance, in Kwara,
Osun, Oyo states, and in most northern states) are allowed to wear
shoulder-length hijabs.
When contacted for commentary, Medical Director, NOHIL,
Dr. O. Odunibi revealed only that they were advised to keep mum on the matter
while the investigation is ongoing.
Muslim organizations react
Chairman of Muslim Lawyers Association of
Nigeria, Barrister Musadiq Adunni Sanni says the nurses' fundamental human
rights were violated by this "wrongful dismissal". He says MULAN are
not happy about a Federal institution being involved in a case like this, but
insisted the court should decide who is right.
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