Lagos @ 50: MSSN wants outstanding students, clerics celebrated

THE Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has said that the activities lined up for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Lagos State should be made all-inclusive through honouring of outstanding students and distinguished clerics in the state.

The Amir (President) of the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, Dr Saheed Ashafa, said this in a statement to felicitate with the government and the people over key areas in which the state has witnessed improvement in the past 50 years.

While congratulating the state government, citizens and residents on the “plausible” development in the state, he expressed displeasure that the activities lined up for the anniversary were not a true reflection of the values and moral system of the state.

He complained that the majority of the activities for the anniversary were avoidable social events scheduled without recourse to the intellectual and morally-inclined segment of the society.

According to him, the success story of Lagos State will not be complete without the celebration of scholars, religious leaders and outstanding students in the state.

“We have observed with keen interest that activities for the ongoing 50th anniversary in Lagos State are more of jamboree. It is regretful to note that less emphasis has been placed on core values like morality, spiritual development, religious balance and academic excellence.

“We are not saying it is not a thing of joy that Lagos State remains cohesive and worthy of celebration. Hence, seeing various inscriptions with images of meaningful Lagosians on our highways is not totally out of place. But we are disturbed not finding more personalities, among whom are distinguished Islamic scholars and well-grounded academic scholars who have won reputable competitions like the Spelling Bee, Lagos Schools’ Debate and Cowbell Mathematics Competition. We make bold to state that “My Success Story in Lagos” can never be complete without the impact of religious leaders, young academic scholars and accomplished youth organisations,” he said.

On its part, he said MSSN Lagos had concluded plans to celebrate first class and distinction Muslim students who recently graduated from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU) and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) on Sunday.

He said the Excellence Award of MSSN Lagos, which is expected to hold at Shamsi Adisa Hall, Old Secretariat, Ikeja, was aimed at encouraging academic excellence among students in the state.