Ayodele Olalere
The new leadership of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos Area Unit, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, put an end to the killings going on in Southern Kaduna.
While addressing the press, on Tuesday, on national issues, the newly-elected leadership of the Islamic body noted that is high time government stopped the killings and ensure perpetrators are brought to book.
According to the new Amir of the group, Miftaudeen Thanni, “Our stand is that the killing must stop. Whoever that is perpetrating this killing must be checked by government and it must stop.
“One of the primary responsibilities of the government is to secure the citizens and the properties of the citizens.
Security is very key. So because of these, we still implore the government to do the needful.
“Government is trying but they have not done their best, if they can do better, I think this should be a forgotten issue.
“I also want to implore citizens and indigene of Kaduna State, Southern Kaduna in particular, to sue for peace, to embrace peace at all times, not only by speech but by their activities, they should exhibit it at all times, they should be tolerance with each other. If they can toll this line, I believe there will be an enduring peace in Southern Kaduna.”
The group also urged government to invest more in education, adding “poor funding of education in the country is having a negative effect on output across all levels.”
“The government must understand that massive investment in education is a guarantee for achievements in economic development and the well-being of their citizens.
“Also, we appeal to the private sector and philanthropists to complement public spending.
“Nigeria, therefore, needs to learn correctly from other nations that have got it right in their education sector and be consistent with its educational policies.”
It further urged government and leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve the issue surrounding Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, as failure to do so could affect the academic calendar of universities.
“We implore both ASUU and the FG to reach a consensus on this. It will be unfair for this resolvable difference to affect the resumption of millions of Nigerian students.”
While commending the government for re-opening schools for WAEC examinations, it implored owners of schools to provide facilities for the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus.
“We also appeal to the government across all levels to assist private schools with palliatives. This will help to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on the schools and their teachers.
“This has been done in other sectors and education should not be left out. We are scared that there may be a massive job loss in many private schools with COVID-19 not likely to go away any time soon.
“We also appeal to both teachers and school management to show common understanding and be compassionate.”
In the area of security, the group urged security agencies to desist from extortion while also appealing to state and federal government to urgently complete construction projects across the country.
