MSSN Osun Tackles OAU Over Inclusion Of Christmas Carol In Convocation Programme

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Osun State Area Unit, has expressed strong displeasure over the inclusion of a “Christmas Carol” in the official programme of the 48th Convocation Ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

In a statement signed by its leadership, including the Amir, Engr. Oyediran Asimiyu Amobi; General Secretary, Mallam Maruf Yahaya; and Publicity Secretary, Mallam Abdul Wasiu Siyanbola, the group described the action as shocking and an affront to religious inclusivity.

According to the MSSN, the 5-day event is set to commence on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, with the “Christmas Carol” scheduled to hold at Oduduwa Hall Amphitheatre from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The MSSN questioned the rationale behind including such a religiously specific activity in the convocation programme of a Federal Government-owned institution, which caters to students of diverse religious backgrounds.

According to the statement, “We, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Osun State Area Unit, sighted a copy of e-flier bearing the programme of events of the 48th convocation ceremony of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. To our utmost surprise, the 5-day events had been scheduled to commence on Tuesday 10th of December 2024 with “Christmas Carol” inside Oduduwa Hall Amphitheatre of the highly enviable and conscious University from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.

“The presence of the “Christmas Carol” on a formal and official programme of a Federal University is shocking! We wonder whether the author of the programme of events had forgotten that the University is Federal Government owned and not a “Christian” Institution or the Institution had forgotten that graduates of all religious background are going to be part of the convocation programmes. To further make our suspicion real, the said programme of events will span to Saturday 14th of December 2024 and there is no place for Jumat service on Friday 13th December 2024. Could that be a deliberate omission too?

“This deliberate action is audacious and a serious affront that is devoid of iota of consciousness. It is a deliberate disrespect to all other religious bodies on the campus of the university. This action is averse to the culture of consciousness, justice and fairness that Obafemi Awolowo University is known for. This should not be happening at this age!

“We hereby call on the Vice Chancellor to direct the appropriate officers to make redress on the highly provocative programme of events and ensure that its programmes are in tandem with the status of the great citadel of learning, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.”