Yesterday the Members of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, University of Lagos chapter, Akoka, went on rampage, protesting what they described as the school authority’s infringement on their fundamental human right of freedom of worship and association.
For more than two hours in the early hours of the day, this action prevented free flow of human and vehicular traffic in and out of the campus, with members of the university community entertaining fear of possible degeneration and close down of the institution.
The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions, warning the university authorities to stop hindering them from carrying out activities as a religious group. They traced the development to last October when the university received a petition from anonymous individuals, accusing the society’s leadership of financial recklessness. One of them, who is also a member of the outgoing executive committee of the association, said the university had since then been acting on the petition even after finding out that the allegations were baseless.
However an officer, who preferred anonymity said: “Surprisingly, instead of the authorities to lift the ban on our activities, it rather imposed a staff adviser on us and forced our former staff adviser who is the association’s choice to resign. “So, since last October, we have been unable to hold tutorial classes for members and Qur’anic memorisation sessions, among other activities and this is greatly unfair on the part of the school, especially when other religious groups on campus are not treated the same way.”
But reacting, the university, through its deputy registrar (Information), Mr. Toyin Adebule, said the university is already in the process of resolving all the differences. According to him, the new policy on campus demands that all associations and clubs must not only register with the authority but also pledge to adhere to rules and regulations guiding their activities. “All that the university wants is moderation of activities that will take interest of the entire university community into consideration and the process in ongoing,” he said.
