A Nigerian lady, Anyama Faith, has shared that she wore a skirt during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program because her religious beliefs consider wearing trousers as a woman to be a sin.
In a Facebook post, she explained how she sought permission from the camp director and NYSC state coordination to wear skirt but they tried to get her to change her mind.
The Coordinator offered her two choices: stay in camp without joining activities or take an exit permit, alter her trousers into a skirt, and return for her posting letter.
She chose the latter and left the camp temporary after writing a letter to the Director-General.
She disclosed that wearing a skirt brought frustration and discouragement from people but she stayed firm with constant prayer and encouragement from pastor and church brethren.
“HOW I SERVED WITH SKIRT. I’ve lost count of the number of people who have asked me how I was able to serve with a skirt, seeing that NYSC has made it mandatory for everyone to serve in trousers, irrespective of their gender,” she wrote.
Let’s get into the story. I, Faith, believe that wearing trousers as a woman is a sin. So, I took it to God in prayer. My prayer was simple:
“God, I believe wearing trousers is a sin, and the government wants me to wear it for the duration of my service year. Would I compromise because it’s just for a year? What if I die during that time? God, because it is Your commandment that I am obeying, let Your will be done. After all, NYSC is not a do-or-die affair.”
I arrived at Damare Camp in Adamawa State for my youth service. I was scared at first. I walked in with zero knowledge of what my fate would be.
I was directed to my hostel. I kept my bag and went to the registration stand. I completed my registration, although it was quite stressful. Then, finally, I was given my kit.
I went back to the hostel, dropped it, and went straight to the camp director’s office.
He wasn’t around, but I met a lady there. She asked me why I was looking for him, and I explained everything to her. She then directed me to where I could find him.
When I met him, my heart was beating, but I composed myself. He asked why I wanted to see him, and I said, “Sir, I’m asking for permission to serve with a skirt.”
He looked at me, then smiled.
“What church do you attend?” he asked. I answered, “Holiness Revival Movement.”
He said, “Hmm… Pastor Paul Rika, right?”
I said, “Yes.”
He asked, “Why don’t you want to serve in trousers?”
I said, “Because it’s a sin.”
He smiled and said, “I don’t have the right to tell you what to do. Go and meet the State Coordinator.”
I thanked him and left.
I went to the State Coordinator’s office, but she wasn’t around, and that was how I couldn’t get to see her that day.
The following day, I woke up early, took my bath, and went back to her office, but I still couldn’t find her.
Then, I saw her with some officials inspecting the hostels. I went to her, and she asked why I was on mufti. I told her I wasn’t done yet and that I wanted to see her.
I followed her to the office, and when we sat down, she asked what the problem was.
I said, “Mummy, I’m asking for permission to serve with a skirt.”
She gave me this look that said, “What is this girl saying?”
She asked why, and I said I don’t wear trousers because I believe it’s a sin.
She started preaching to me, telling me that it was just for a year and that if I disobeyed government orders, I would also be sinning.
In my mind, I was like, “God and government, who is superior?”
One thing I loved so much about her was how she spoke to me like a mother. She took her time trying to convince me, but my mind was already made up.
When she noticed I wasn’t giving in, her mood changed. So, she said she would allow me to stay in the camp under two conditions:
I would stay in the camp but would not participate in any activities, or I would be given an exit to leave and then return for my posting.
But first, I had to write a letter to the DG explaining why I didn’t want to serve in trousers.
Then she dismissed me.
I was about to leave when I remembered something. I came back and told her that I would still like to change my trousers into a skirt.
She was already tired of me, so she said I should go and do whatever I wanted to do.
I left and wrote the letter with the guidance of my platoon officer.
Everyone was trying to convince me. Some were even upset when they heard my story—that I didn’t want to wear trousers.
Guys, I was frustrated to the point that I cried. My pastor and some brethren in the church would call to encourage and pray with me.
To cut the long story short, I changed my outfit and left the camp.
Come and see how everyone was looking at me.😂
I came back a day before the POP for my posting. On that day, I was a bit uncomfortable because of the way people were looking at me—the laughter, the ridicule.
Some corps members would shout, “Ahh! Jesus Corper!” while others would say, “Mother Mary!” Some would say, “Corper skirt!”
I would just laugh.
Some soldiers teased me by calling me “Mama.”
Well, I eventually collected my posting and was fortunate to be posted to the state capital.
That was how I continued wearing my skirt until I was done with my service year.
When I was done, my pastor said i should call the state coordinator and thank her, which I did. She asked what I was doing now, I told her I haven’t gotten a government job yet but I’m into fish business. She encouraged me and thanked me for calling.
When I was in camp, many people were waiting to see how I would serve since I was always preaching against wearing trousers.
Some couldn’t wait. They called me to ask why I hadn’t posted my pictures yet.
Not because they really cared, but because they wanted to see whether I wore trousers or not so they could mock me.
Note: I took my time to explain this because someone somewhere may need it.
If you’re here for an argument, I’ll delete your comment. I don’t entertain bitter people here. Thank you.
