STUDENTS have been implored to shun secret cults, examination malpractice, drug abuse and other vices prevalent in the country.
The Deputy Missioner of the Muslim Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (MUTAN), Alhaji Abdulwahab Babatunde Muhammad-l-Awwal, made the plea during a Ramadan lecture of the Lagos State Education District 1, held at the Government College, Agege.
Awwal expressed regret that people find it easier to engage in vices than embrace virtuous deeds, while also identifying peer pressure, depression and quest to enhance performance as some of the factors responsible for drug abuse.
He emphasised the need for Muslims to be steadfast in their role of inviting people to do good and shun vices.
The MUTAN chief condemned examination malpractice, describing it as constituting a disservice to the recognition of certificates issued by examination bodies in the country.
He expressed the hope that students would seize the opportunity provided by the period of Ramadan to embrace goodness and jettison vices.
Charging the students to shun secret cults, he said it had led to the death of many young people and ruined the careers of those involved.
The Tutor-General, Permanent Secretary of Education District I, Dr Yinka Ayandele, charged the students to be good ambassadors of the district and shun social vices.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeyinka, urged the students to continually use the teachings of Ramadan as a way of evaluating themselves in all their activities.
The event also featured Qur’an recitation competition, in which Agege, Ifako Ijaiye and Alimoso came first, second and third respectively in the zonal competition, while Umar Ibrahim of Lagos Baptist Secondary School emerged winner of the individual category ahead of Alaaya Muhammad of Ijaiye Housing Estate Junior High School and Thaqib Balqees of Government Senior College.