Students task Lagos govt on schools’ usage for social functions
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, (MSSN Lagos), has expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Government for banning use of public schools for social functions.
Amir (President) of the MSSN Lagos, Mallam Saheed Ashafa, made known the position of the body at the end of a camping programme, Islamic Vacation Course, organised for about 3, 500 youths in Lagos.
Ashafa explained that not all social functions were meant for financial or merry-making purposes, and said that programmes that aid morality and academic standards of youths should not be classified as social functions.
He said that, “The world, and Nigeria in particular, are witnessing increased moral decadence; different things happen around us ranging from indecency, unfavourable living conditions, corruption and bad leadership. All these can only be corrected from the grassroots and that is exactly what we are doing but not getting enough support from government.
“It is saddening that the unavailability of venue is one of the greatest challenges that almost hindered the organisation of a programme like this, aimed at helping government by training the youths in ways that will increase their moral standards and reduce crime. It is also a way of enhancing social security.
“The government needs to re-evaluate the policy to exempt certain programmes. It is not everybody or organisations that use the public schools for parties; and the government should also realise that it cannot do the expected youth reformation alone but through partnership with youth-focused organisations like ours.”
Ashafa explained that the programme was organised in a bid to enhance societal reformation and reduce crime in Nigeria.
The youths, comprising primary, secondary school students, and undergraduates among others, were trained during the 101st Islamic Vacation Course, which was held from March 24 and 28 across five different zones.
The camping programme with the theme, “The Envoy”, featured personality profile, book reviews, training on use of social media, soul-inspiring lectures, and Quran memorisation among others.
Ashafa urged the youths to be assets for Nigeria’s development and not agents of criminal acts.
He also advised the youths to use the social media for societal reformation, emphasising that youths in the country must shun crimes.
Ashafa said, “During the camping programme, Muslim youths received invaluable practical training on aspects that would make them good ambassadors of Islam and Nigeria. Our target is that after the camping exercise, the delegates would go and correct evils in the society and be determined to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria.
“Today, one of the major means in which evil is being perpetuated is the use of social media and youths in Nigeria must be careful in using it. We must use the social media with the fear of Allah.
“Youths should use the social media in a way that will promote morality. Social media should not be a tool for promotion of evil or crime. Youths should not do what they cannot do in the open or off-line while they are online, hoping that no one sees them.”
