A bill seeking to amend the National Youth Service Corps Act to allow corps members wear skirt, hijab among others was on Wednesday struck out by the Senate.
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-South), sponsor of the bill, said the proposed amendment sought to amend sections 13 and 16 of the principal Act.
Bwacha said the amendment was to “increase the penalty for the offences contained in the Act to make such fines reflect the present value of the naira.”
The lawmaker also said the amendment was intended to “ensure that regulations made by the NYSC directorate prescribing uniforms and exercise regimen do not violate the religious practices and beliefs of corps members.”
Proposal
“In exercising its powers under Subsection 2(a) and (b) of this section, the directorate shall take into consideration the need to prescribe or adopt uniforms and exercise regimen or drills that do not violate the religious practices relating to modest dressing, and accordingly specify alternative uniforms and exercise regimen that conform to the religious dictates and conscience of corps members as recognised by the 1999 Constitution,” Bwacha proposed.
