Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has called on the current leadership of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) to build on the sacrifices and remarkable achievements of its founding fathers by ensuring that Muslims are accorded their rights and privileges in the country.
He also urged the Muslim Ummah to always display good conduct worthy of emulation, contributing to the restoration of the country’s lost glory.
The former Minister delivered this message during his goodwill address at the event marking the 70th anniversary of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria and the Special Recognition Awards, held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos.
Prof. Pantami, who joined the event via Zoom from Rabat, Morocco, expressed that he was inspired and encouraged by the notable success of the MSSN in the propagation of Islam despite numerous challenges.
He thanked the MSSN Lagos Area Unit for their close collaboration with him and urged the gathering to dedicate their lives to serving Allah and humanity, in order to reap bountiful rewards in the hereafter.
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who is also the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, highlighted that the formation of the MSSN was a revolutionary movement by those who championed it under colonial rule.
He lamented that a lot of falsehoods were promoted against Islam in the past but encouraged Muslims to continue to project the religion in the modern era. He added that Islam allows for innovation to promote it, as long as it does not contravene its laws.
Senator Basiru emphasized that followers should make Islam attractive to the younger generations in a way that does not compromise the fundamental principles of the religion.
On her part, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the 70-year existence of the MSS as a milestone, saying it must be commended for adding value and fostering quality education among youths in the country.
Represented by Mrs. Tawakalit Toriola, the First Lady noted that the MSS has remained steadfast in producing young minds who excel in academic pursuits and other endeavors, as it plays a pivotal role in building a better future for the country.
While commending the unwavering commitment of the MSS, the First Lady said it should continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence in the state with a focus on the values of discipline and hard work.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Mustapha Ade Bello from the Department of Religious Studies at LASU, called on the Muslim Ummah and MSS members to unite as one big family to galvanize brotherhood and solidarity, free from polarization in the union today.
He insisted that divisiveness and theological ideologies should be minimized for Muslims in the country to move forward.
Dr. Bello was of the view that the aspect of Dawwah must return fully to campuses and be inclusive by opening the doors to those who want to embrace Islam.
The university don, who explained that the MSS was established at a time when socio-economic activities did not favor Islam, recalled that some Muslims had to change their names or even convert to Christianity to be admitted to schools then.
According to him, the establishment of the MSS was in line with the injunction to promote good conduct and condemn evil, without bias toward any Islamic sect, but rather to unite Muslims as one family.
While urging Muslims to close ranks and get involved in events around them, including politics, he also encouraged them to take full advantage of social media to correct misconceptions about the religion and project Islam positively to the world.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Muiz Banire urged the current leadership of the MSS to sustain the vision of the founding fathers. He also called the attention of the gathering to the need to be time conscious, which he said had become a challenge for Muslims.
A member of the MSS Board of Trustees, Barr. Musbau Oyefeso, solicited the support of wealthy Muslims and other well-meaning Nigerians toward the realization of the group’s laudable projects.
In his welcome address, the Amir of the MSS Lagos Area Unit, Yusuf Nurudeen Adekola, said the celebration marked 70 years of unwavering commitment to the good of the Muslim community.
He noted that the MSS had become a beacon of hope for students in Nigeria, adding that the Awards of Legends and Philanthropic recognition given to some individuals were due to their unique role in keeping the body alive and setting an example for the younger generation to emulate.
The Amir mentioned that their major project, the Digital Centre in Igando, aims to educate the Muslim community in digital knowledge and requires about #250 million to bring the vision to reality.
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, popularly referred to as MSSN, was established on April 18, 1954, and was officially launched at the Ansaruddeen Alakoro School Mosque Hall in Lagos on May 30, 1954, by personalities including Alhaji Lateef Adegbite, Tajudeen Adisa Aromoshodu, Sumola Akin Luguda, and Abdurrahman Alade Sahid of the then Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, in response to the yearnings of Muslim students at that time.
