There have been wild jubilation among members and ranks of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria in Lagos State as no fewer than 20 of its members bagged first class.
Reacting to the development, Amir (President) of MSSN in Lagos State, Saheed Ashafa, commended the students for distinguishing themselves.
According to a press statement signed by him, academic excellence remains one of the major foci of the MSSN.
As a means to encourage outstanding performances in institutions, Ashafa said all the first class Muslim students will be rewarded in the next MSSN Lagos Outstanding Muslims Merit Award.
They emerged successful at a point when many Nigerians have underrated the intellectual capacities of Muslims because they wear the hijab.
He said, “We thank Allah for this. The students have made us proud and we salute their courage and dogedness to emerge victorious despite challenges. We hope that other students will be inspired by their feats and will do better.
“It pains that we are in a society that values frivolities than academic excellence. These are students that should ordinarily be celebrated and be placed at high rank but our leaders appear to be more interested awarding those who do well basically in music and dancing among others. On our part, the first class Muslim students will automatically receive our Outstanding Muslim Personality Award.”
He, however, expressed pains that the faith-based group which the first class students are identified with has been suspended.
Ashafa pleaded with the UNILAG management to objectively reinstate MSSN activities in the university.
He said, “Some of these students were subjected to undue hardship and still emerged victorious. We may not be able to completely claim that their membership with the MSSN made them have first class, but the association and society that one belong to have a lot to tell about how far and well you will perform.
“To us, the MSSN in UNILAG that was suspended did no wrong. The suspension of its activities was basically a question of ego and people who wants to be treated as ‘god-fathers’. We have decided to exercise restraint, not because we are weak but for the psychological damages the needless crisis was causing on Muslim students among other factors.
“We hope that further events will vindicate us. We urge Muslim students in the institution not to be distracted by pursue their spiritual, moral and academic development vigorously.”
On his part, the Amir (President) of MSSN UNILAG branch for the 2014/2015 session, Abdur-Rasheed Adeoye, attributed the success of the students to Allah.
Recall that activities of the MSSN were suspended during the 2014/2015 academic session.
Adeoye, who is also a graduating student of the Department of Science and Technology Education (Integrated Science Education), appealed to Muslim students in the UNILAG not to be weighed down by challenges.
He said, “This is an encouragement for those of us leading the society. Although, we wish more students also achieved this height. It is a worthy achievement for us as it shows that our efforts to achieve academic excellence is not in vain. Many of those that bagged first class are beneficiaries of our scholarship scheme, all thanks to God.”
iWitness NG learnt that some MSSN UNILAG executives performed outstandingly. While the Amir got an abstract publication in UNILAG; Librarian, Talha Tajudeen, was awarded best student in advertisement; and editor (sister), Aisha Okeshoka, is the best graduating student in Law.
MSSN UNILAG produced best graduating students in the following departments: Guidance and Counselling; Mass Communication; Insurance; Zoology; Metaluurgical and Materials Engineering; Political Science, Actuarial Science.
