Education-Nigeria - The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Abuja Chapter, has called on the federal government to lay emphasis on religious education with a view to instilling God's consciousness and moral uprightness in the citizens. This was stated in a communiqué co-signed by the President and Vice- President of the society, Dr. Alhassan M. Ibrahim and Muhammad Grema Bukar at the end of a six-day Islamic Vacation Course which held in Abaji in the FCT.

According to the communiqué, the preference given to civic education in secondary schools over religious and Arabic education, despite moral degenerations of the youth in the country, is ill-motivated and has the tendency of destroying the moral upbringing of the youths

The conveners, who stated that the event was aimed at training potential Muslim leaders and youths in the country, advised government to ensure proper funding of education as well as create conducive learning and teaching environment in line with best practices.

The group attributed the spate of bombing in places of worship and other places in the country to inefficient security system, corruption and bad governance.

"We call on parents to be watchful of their children even as we want government to empower the youths in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship trainings." It added.

They further called on the youths to rise up to challenges of the century by seeking useful knowledge, emulating the pious and upright predecessors and developing the capacity to withstand the evil forces of depression and deviation.

The formal closing ceremony was attended by delegates from the six area councils in the FCT as well as, Alhaji Salihu Kakamba, who was represented by the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, Alhaji.Abubakar Ibrahim, ex-chairman, Abaji Area Council, politicians and business men, among others.

Abdulkadir Y. Abdullahi

Daily Trust/03/01/2012