LAGOS – The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has commended some of its members who emerged as cabinet members of the One-Day Governor of Lagos State.
The One-Day Governor and his cabinet are students who emerged as winners in the annual Spelling Bee Competition and other competitions organised by Lagos State.
For this year, five Muslims emerged victorious and formed key members of the cabinet of the One-Day Governor. Some of them are One-day Speaker, Okinbaloye Rashidat of Ilupeju Senior Grammar School; One-day Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ogunfowora Islamiyat of Badagry Senior Grammar School; One-day Commissioner for Education, Asiyat Abdulkarim of Atunrase Senior High School.
While Ogunfowora emerged winner of Lagos School Debate; Kareem won Lagos State Mathematics competition. The two others also emerged in competitions organised by the Lagos State Government.
To encourage, celebrate and honour the Muslims among the winners, the Amir (President) of MSSN Lagos, Mallam Saheed Ashafa, said a reception would be held for them.
Ashafa, in a press statement, said the reception was to encourage other Muslim students in secondary schools to emulate the current winners.
He said, “We are impressed with the performance of our members in the various Competitions. We congratulate them and their parents. This goes a long way to show that Muslim students still retain our pride of place in education in Lagos State. It’s the kind of feet we challenge Muslim students to always strive to achieve and emulate.
“In furtherance to the honour bestowed on the students by the Lagos State Government, we will also be holding a reception to honour the Muslims among the winners. The reception will be during our Holiday Training Course, scheduled to hold between July 20th and 24th at Homat Comprehensive College, Ikorodu Lagos. Details of the reception will be communicated to the general public who are interested in attending.”
Ashafa, however, explained that the outstanding performance of the Hijab wearing students proved that the Islamic headscarf was not an impediment to being successful.
While commending Lagos State Government for the initiative, Ashafa reiterated that there was need for government not to relent in investing in education.
He said, “To the glory of Allah, the Muslim students were able to prove many critics wrong. They have been able to show that putting on the Hijab does not mean that you can’t achieve in life. What is being covered is not their brain.
“We also hope that many teachers and academics fond of punishing and harassing Muslim females on hijab will desist and see them as intellectuals who are only interested in being modest in their dressing.
“We salute the commitment of the state government in its effort to ensure continued support for sound education and development oriented policy in the sector particularly, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his clear vision and unbiased gesture in making education accessible to adherents of all faiths and cultures in the state.”
