Niqabbed and Out: Baby Denied Entry at UCH in Ibadan’s Latest Headscarf Furore! (VIDEO)

By Mayowa Oladeji On Feb 2, 2024

Drama unfolded outside the hallowed halls of University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, as a mother’s fierce defense of her Niqab clashed head-on with hospital policy, leaving a sick baby caught in the crossfire. According to a viral video on X, the scene resembled a Nollywood flick gone wrong, complete with wailing sirens, flapping fabric, and enough side-eye to power a small village.

The Plot Thickens: Our protagonist, Mama Rashidat, arrived with her feverish infant, seeking medical attention. However, the plot took a sharp turn when a nurse, citing “health rotocols,” requested Mama Rashidat remove her Niqab. Mama Rashidat, a woman of steely resolve and possibly several hidden ninja stars, dug in her heels faster than a Lagos driver in rush hour.

Cue the Nurse with the Sass: Enter Nurse Agatha, a woman who could give Regina Daniels a run for her sass money. Undeterred by Mama Rashidat’s unwavering stance, Nurse Agatha launched into a monologue worthy of Shakespeare (with a generous dash of Pidgin English), explaining the importance of removing the Niqab and putting on a protective medical suit for medical purposes. The back-and-forth that ensued could have been mistaken for a heated rap battle, with Mama Rashidat dropping verses about religious freedom and Nurse Agatha countering with rhymes about hospital regulations.

Baby Watch: Meanwhile, the poor kid, caught in the eye of this sartorial storm, wailed with increasing fervor, perhaps wishing they’d brought their own pacifier emblazoned with “Mama Knows Best.” One onlooker, a pepper seller with a heart of gold, offered the distraught mother a sachet of agbo jedi jedi (herbal concoction), but alas, even that ancient remedy couldn’t soothe the bureaucratic beast.

The Grand Finale: After what felt like an eternity (or several episodes of your favorite telenovela), a compromise was reached. Mama Rashidat, with the grace of a lioness protecting her cub, eventually changed into a protective suit, allowing for a quick ID check. Baby was whisked away to the waiting arms of a pediatrician, hopefully receiving the medical attention they so desperately needed.

So, who won? Did religious freedom trump hospital policy? Did common sense take a backseat to bureaucracy? The answer, my friends, is as murky as the Lagos lagoon after a downpour. One thing’s for sure, this little drama has sparked a heated debate, leaving everyone wondering: Niqab or not, shouldn’t a sick baby’s health be the top priority?

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