MSSN Lagos urges members to stop using Twitter

• Condemns the murders of Igangan and others

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has asked its area councils, branches and professional forums in local governments, schools and colleges across Lagos State to stop using Twitter for promotional and other purposes.

The organization’s instruction came after the Nigerian federal government suspended Twitter’s operations in the country on June 4 and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) subsequently issued a corresponding instruction to television and radio stations.

The Amir (President) of MSSN Lagos, Miftahudeen Thanni, disclosed this in a press release. In a communication to its constituents, MSSN Lagos said: “Please discontinue the use of Twitter handles/addresses and icons on MSSN Lagos promotional materials (texts, electronic or printed).”

“This communication is hereby addressed to the leadership of all organs and hierarchies in the entity. It takes effect immediately.” Thanni explained that while the federal government was not doing enough in other areas such as security, MSSN Lagos was convinced that defying the government’s directive to block Twitter was unnecessary. He explained that while female Muslim students have been victims of human rights violations and harassment because they have been denied the right to wear hijab, the recent steps by the federal government were necessary.

He said: “No sane organisation would support measures against freedom of expression and association and the Federal Government must avoid any action and measures against freedom of the press. This is despite the fact that the unity of Nigeria is of paramount importance and must be defended.”

“While we believe that social media, including Twitter, can be better regulated than through blocking, we will defend Nigeria’s sovereignty which cannot be played with. The double standards applied by Twitter on sensitive events such as #EndSARS and destruction by IPOB members cannot be ignored.”

“As much as we hope the President will act quickly and show leadership on security issues, Twitter must ensure that its platform is not used to escalate crises and mobilize attackers on the nation’s infrastructure. We urge the federal government and Twitter to find common ground. Until that happens, we will adhere to the suspension order.”

“The Federal Government must look at restoring order beyond the suspension and addressing other various issues affecting Nigeria.

“Like many Nigerians, we are unhappy with what is happening in the country. Security problems have been increasing at an alarming rate for some time now. The country’s education and justice sectors are constantly affected by strikes. There are other issues that the government should pay more attention to.”

Thanni reiterated that MSSN Lagos is against calls for secession and condemned the killing of people in Igangan area of ​​Oyo State and the abduction of students in different parts of the country.

He said: “We are for a united Nigeria. The call for secession will only exacerbate Nigeria’s problems and is in no way the solution to the challenges facing the country. We are against the removal of a leader through undemocratic means.”

“It is high time we all helped the government to overcome some of the challenges it is facing. Things are no longer just partisan, regional or religious.

“The killing of people in Igangan is not only senseless but also despicable. Instead of blaming each other, we will continue to pray to God to heal our nation and expose those behind the evil deeds. We pray to him to give us leaders who have the love of the people.”