The Nation Newspaper

Tag: International School

  • UI In’tl School hijab crisis: Out-of-court settlement fails

    The out-of-court settlement embarked upon by parties in a suit filed by 14 students of the International School, Ibadan (ISI) on behalf of the ISI Muslim Parents Forum, to contest restriction of the use of hijab on uniforms within the school premises has hit a deadlock.

    The matter will be going back to court.

    The parties had told the court at the last sitting that they had begun the process to settle the matter amicably out of court.

    Justice Ladiran Akintola told the parties to bring the settlement report to court on the next adjourned date, Friday.

    Earlier in the matter, the court had agreed that other parties which include traditional worshippers, other interested students and alumni association should join the suit as interested parties after the claimants raised no objection to their application.

    But at the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, rather than give a report of the expected settlement, parties informed the court that deliberations to resolve the matter amicably failed.

    Read also: Hijab crisis, my major challenge, says ex-UI DVC

    Counsel to the first four respondents, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, told the court that none of the parties in the case was ready to shift ground on the matter.

    He told the court that all efforts to resolve the issue amicably failed.

    Counsel to the applicants, Hassan Fajimite, told the court that as a result of the failed attempts to settle out of court, he had amended his charges to reflect those who signified to be joined in the suit.

    He pleaded for more time to perfect the processes.

    While ruling on the submission, Justice Akintola noted there was no need for anybody to be rigid on the issue, adding that Islam or Christianity is not the native religion of anybody.

    He warned all parties in the case not to allow their agitation to cause discord in the school.

    He gave the parties 14 days to perfect their processes and admonished them to put in more efforts to try and find amicable resolution to the crisis within 21 days.

    He adjourned the case to May 14 for further hearing.

  • ISI hijab issue: Parents drag UI, ISI, others to court

    Some Muslim Parents and pupils of International School, Ibadan, (ISI) on Monday dragged the management of the International School, Ibadan (ISI) and the University of Ibadan (UI) to the Court over refusal to allow their children to wear hijab.

    In the suit No: M/706/2018 filed on behalf of the 14 applicants by Messrs Abdulkareem, Fajimite and Co. at Oyo State High Court, the parents are demanding for the fundamental human rights of their wards in using Hijab.

    The applicants who sued the school through their parents are Moridiyya Yekinni, Ikhlas Badiru, Mahmudah Babarinde, Faridah Akerele, Aakifah Dokpesi, Aaliyah Dokpesi, Iman Akinoso, Raheemah Akinlusi, Faridah Moshood, Hamdallah Olusunde and Aliyah Adebayo.

    The 12th to 14th Applicants who sued on behalf of ISI Muslim Parents Forum were Abdur-Rahman Balogun (Chairman), Ridwan Ademola and Bolaji Ajani.

    The Nation learnt that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Idowu Olayinka was served yesterday

    Others who were said to have received their services were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic) and Chairman, Board of Governors of ISI Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto and ISI Principal Mrs Phebean Olowe.

    The suit is asking for Court’s declaration that the continuous denial of the 1st to 11th applicants’ right to use Hijab on their school uniform within the premises of the ISI is wrongful and unconstitutional.

    It further reads: “It constitutes a violation of the applicants rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination and right to dignity of the human persons and right to education as guaranteed by section 38(1) (a) and (b) and 42 (1) (a) & (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,

    “And Articles 2, 5, 8, 10, 17 and 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act CAP A9, Laws of the Federation, 2004).

    “The suit is also seeking for a declaration of the Court that the locking up or humiliation of the 1st-11th Applicants by the 1st-4th Respondents by themselves and /or agents or privies as a result of the use of Hijab by the 1st-11th Applicants  is a violation of the Applicants’ Fundamental Human Rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination and right to the dignity of the human person, right to education and right to free association as guaranteed under Section 38 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

    Other prayers of the suit include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents either by themselves, their  officers, agents, privies or servants from further interfering or infringing in any manner with the fundamental rights of the 1st -11th Applicants and other female Muslim pupils of ISI who have resolved or are obliged to use or are using Hijab on their school uniforms in the exercise of the Applicants rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination and right to the dignity of the human person, right to education and right to free association.”

    The case has been slated for hearing for Friday December 21, 2018 before Justice Ladiran Akintola of State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    It will be recalled that sequel to letter of notification by the ISI Muslim Parents Forum which was served on ISI Principal and other management Staff on November 9, some female Muslim pupils adorned Hijab to the school on November 12, 2018.

    Disturbed by the development, the School Principal, Mrs Olowe, refused to conduct the school Assembly and directed that all classes be locked for any academic activities.

    The school was eventually closed for one week following the insistence of the Muslim girls to wear their hijab as it did not contravene the school dressing code and in line with their fundamental human rights.

  •  ISL sprinters speak on dreams and aspirations

     ISL sprinters speak on dreams and aspirations

    They stood out among the crowd particularly their performance at the annual inter-house sports competition of International School, Lagos ( ISL ).

    Despite representing different teams at the one-day athletics meet, their dreams seem to be at par with the aim of wearing the colours of Nigeria at major competitions.

    The trio of Oluwademilade Ajayi, Zipporah Moses and Onah Ifunanya dazzled with their skills and they are set to storm the Nigerian athletics scene in few years.

    Twelve-year-old Ajayi was outstanding in 100m, 200m and long jump events, while Ifunanya showed her class in the 100m and 200m. Taking a cue from Ajayi and Ifunanya, Moses – a quarter miller displayed an exceptional skills in the 400m, 800m and 1500m.

    For Ajayi, athletics runs in the family as the teenager wanted to emulate his parents who were also sprinters in their school days. “I think sports has been part of our family because my grandfather and father were great athletes in their school days and so I have been getting the necessary support from them. They most times push me to be better than them. One of my dreams is to represent Nigeria at international tournaments and I have been fortunate to have a coach like Ijeoma Ernest who has been helping to hone my skills on the track,” the junior class student said.

    Unlike Ajayi, who wanted to uphold family tradition, Ifunanya was prompted to take to athletics through her passion. “I am looking forward to compete for Nigeria at the Olympic Games because my passion for the sport has continued to inspire me to work harder. Also my parent and coach have been very supportive of my dream. Also my physical attribute in terms of my long leg is another advantage working in my favour,” 13-year-old Ifunanya said.

    Having started athletics early in life, Moses has not stopped believing in herself even while at Staff School during his primary education. “I actually started running when I was in primary three and since then I have continued to work harder to ensure that I fulfill my dream,” she said.

    The 15-year-old who idolizes American Natasha Hastings believes with her diligent, she can match the feat achieved by the American quarter miller.

    However, the athletes lamented the lack of tournaments across the country for school athletes while calling on the leadership of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to put things in place for athletes like them to showcase their talents for the national handlers.

  • Record tumbles at ISL athletics meet

    Record tumbles at ISL athletics meet

    The three year-old record set by Ojo Ojooluwatida in 2013 was erased by Chidinma Okeke at the 27th annual inter-house track and field athletics competition of International School, Lagos (ISL).
    Okeke, who represented Registry House threw 8.67m to dwarf Ojo Oluwatida’s 8.56m record.
    Also the two years grip on the title by School House was halted this year as Bursary House dethroned the defending champion to emerge as the new champion.
    For two consecutive editions of the championship, School House dominated the one-day tournament but they failed to hold onto the title this year by playing second fiddle to Bursary House in the final overall medal table.
    With 13 gold, 12 silver and three bronze medals, Bursary House was crowned the new champion, while the efforts of Adeniyi Ibrahim, who was adjudged the best male athlete of the competition could not prevent School House from finishing second.
    From the 10 gold medals won by School House, Ibrahim contributed four after claiming gold medals in 400m, high jump, 4X100m and 4X400m while other athletes in the team added nine silver and nine bronze medals.
    Junior star, Chiamaka Martins was named the best female athlete after winning gold medals in 100m, 200m, long jump and 4X100m but her efforts was only able to salvage a third place finish for Congregation House which amassed 10gold, five silver and seven bronze medals.
    For the Principal of ISL, Mrs. Adora Ojo, the championship would continue to throw up new talents for the school as the school would continue to support the students in their quest to combine sports and education.
    According to the Chief Coach of the school, Ernest Ijeoma, the success of the athletics meet would not have been possible without the enormous support from the management of the school led by the principal. He singled out the immense support of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research) University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who has been another strong pillar of sports in the school.

  • Let’s take basketball to grassroots – Otenigbagbe

    Former International and ex-coach of the First bank female basketball club, Ganiyu Otenigbagbe, last weekend called for the establishment of more sports academies as the House of Levi staged the third edition of its annual basketball tourney.

      Coach Otenigbagbe told Nationsports at the two-day basketball invitational competition which was held at the basketball court of the International School, Unilag (ISL) in Akoka, Lagos that academies have developmental effects on sports as well as help to discover and groom talents.

      “If you want to do anything for the growth of sports, you have to start from the grassroots. So I will like to encourage the establishments of more sports academies. Not just any kind of mushroom academies but organized academies with control. There are a good number of them around like what the house of Levi is doing in trying to discover talents. We also have the Youth Alive program, Warriors Academy as well as the defunct adopt-a-talent of the last administration in Lagos”, he said.

      However, players of the International School, University of Lagos (ISL) basketball team once again proved their mettle as they overran other contenders for the title at the third edition of the Basketball Rising Stars Invitational Competition.

      The competition which is popularly known as the Mountain of Fire Basketball competition is the third of its kind following its introduction in 2010 where Corona international school won, followed also by the 2012 edition where the ISL won the championship for the first time.

      This year’s championship tagged the rebirth was keenly contested by six schools including the host and defending champions ISL, Nigerian Airforce secondary school the first runner up, Victory Grammar School the second runner up, St. Gregs school, Nigeria-Turkish school and Strong Tower Academy.

      The obviously dejected captain of the second placed Airforce team, Ugwuezumba Justine expressed his dissatisfaction with the turn out of the game. “We were meant to win that game because from my observations, we were the superior side. My team played better on the offense and the defense too but I don’t know why we lost. Although I think we will have to work more on our offence and free throw as that could have helped us win”, he stated.

      On the other hand, Farawe Taiwo, captain of the victorious ISL side described their feat as a good come back from a defeat they suffered in another competition.

      “This was an important outing for us and it feels so great that we won the championship. It was like an opportunity to erase our quarter final knockout at recent competition. I will like to say that the winning factors for us are speed, stamina and strength.

      ISL’s Segun Balogun won the MVP award of the tournament and stated that his parents who were once active in sports motivate him. Ekeme Odo of the Air force team clinched the highest point scorer award.