Scholars have called on Nigerians to be cautious against calls for the disintegration of the nation at a time the world is integrating.

“Nigeria can not be greater than Nigerians, so it is the responsibility of every citizen to put hands together to make the nation better and rise to her glorious days of being called the giant of the continent”.

These are some of the opinions of speakers at the Annual Symposium of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, B-Zone held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi, University, Kwara State, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji while speaking on the topic,  ‘Saving a Nation on the Precipice: Between Re- Federation and Secessionism said the current political structure needs to be restructured, noting that to save the nation from the brink of the precipice, Nigerians must remain united.

Professor Adedimeji explained that for Nigeria to come out of secessionist agitations, there’s a need to shun economic inequality, religious bigotry, ethnic jingoism while raising cultural values and morals.

“It appears evident that leadership plays a vital role in making desirable changes happen. There is no doubt that with good leadership across board and purposive commitment to curbing ourselves of religious bigotry,  ethnic jingoism, prebendal politics,  socio-economic inequality,  and moral atrophy, Nigeria will still be dancing around the same circle”.

“But, regardless of the challenges the country may be facing, dismemberment isn’t the solution. This too shall pass”, Professor Adedimeji said.

“Nigeria shall overcome her challenges and the country shall succeed”.

The University don further stressed that there is the need to reintroduce geographical government to be represented by a premier in each zone of the country to be elected by the governors of the states.

Another scholar of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Sola Olorunyomi, in his paper titled, “On all Fronts: Facing the fate of falling Giant’ said the problem facing the country is not an isolated issue, as such, citizens should rise above ethnicity to save the giant embedded in the nation.

The Chairman of the event and Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Femi Gbajabiamila , represented by a member of the house representing Ifo/Ewekoro Constituency in Ogun State, Ibrahim Isiaka called for Unity and re-orientation of national core values as a way to get out of the challenges facing the nation.

The speaker also called for a total re-orientation of national core values, as a way to carve a new agenda for  Nigeria.

The Ogun State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun,   represented by his Chief of Staff,  Shuaib Salisu lauded the Muslim students’ Society for organising the symposium at a critical time in the history of the nation.

Abiodun said that the discussion about the integration and unity of challenges facing Nigeria is everybody’s duty and not the duty of the government alone, he noted that his government will do everything within its capacity to support the Muslim Society.

The Zonal Amir of the society, Quasim Odedeji, said the theme of the symposium, “ Saving a Nation on the Precipice”,  became necessary to address the current prevailing issues of national concern.

Odedeji stressed that “We are in a very precarious situation. Insecurity has permeated all nooks and crannies of our nation. Nobody can sleep with their two eyes closed. Incessant killings, farmers-herders crisis, Kidnappings, armed robbery and banditry has become the order of the day.

“It is against this backdrop that we have selected the theme, the topics and the discussants to lead the discussion”, he said.

The Annual event has in attendance dignitaries’ from across the nation.

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, popularly referred to as MSS was established in 1954.

The society aimed to bring all Muslims closer and inculcate in them the true Islamic spirit of brotherhood and to have faith in Allah as the basis for the achievement of peace among mankind.

The group has produced Muslim students who are a synthesis of scholarship and morality and has contributed valuable, reliable and progressive personalities in governance, the education sector and other fields of endeavor.

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The establishment of the National Commission on Disability Affairs (NCDA) by President  Muhammadu Buhari would foster the inclusion of millions of people living with disabilities in the process of national development.

The Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin,  Comrade Issa Aremu made this observation during the week while playing host to the officials of Kwara State Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities  (KWJONAPWD) at the Institute.

The Director-General commended President Buhari for signing into law in 2018 the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act which prohibits discrimination against people living with disabilities and established a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, responsible for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to housing, education, and healthcare.

He described the Disabilities law as the “most socially responsible law in the democratic dispensation” adding that Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), would partner with Kwara State Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities to implement the new law through mass education of organised labour and civil society on its provisions.

He also disclosed that MINILS is set to mark the 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 which is an International observance  Day by the United Nations since 1992 to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

In his address, the  Chairman Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Comrade Bashir Yusuf hailed President Buhari for the establishment of Commission on Disabilities Affairs to be manned by people with disabilities as well as giving 10% of the Federal Government Special Public Work in the State and also the 10% allotted to People Living with Disabilities of N- Power applicants throughout the Federation.

Comrade Bashir while appreciating, the Governor of Kwara State,  Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his laudable programmes in repositioning the State and the wellbeing of kwarans with disabilities, called for the full implementation of the state Disability law with respect to the establishment of a Disability Affairs Office to cater for persons with disabilities.

The officials of the Association praised President Buhari for appointing Comrade Issa Aremu as the Director-General of MINILS describing the new Chief Executive as someone who “possesses all the quality of a humane leader, deep faith, complete confidence, empathy and broad vision which recognizes the rights of people living with disabilities.

As of 2020, there are reportedly over 27 million Nigerians living with some forms of disability that include, visual, hearing, physical, intellectual and communication impairment.

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