400 Level Female Student Enters Mosque, disrupts Jumat Service

The Chairman, Governing Council, University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has pleaded for inter-religious harmony and tolerance on campus, saying nobody has any right to harass any one on the issue of religion.

Speaking against the averted religious riot in UI occasioned by a 400 Level female Law student who entered the UI central mosque in disguise and preached against Islam during a Jumat service, Olanipekun condemned what the student did.

He spoke when he led council and management members of the institution to the mosque.

According to him, “What happened was condemnable and the council has condemned it in strong terms, as nobody sent the invader to do what she did. What is not right is not right.”

Olanipekun who addressed thousands of Muslim faithful at the mosque, said, “You are entitled to gather here without anybody disturbing you. You are entitled to the freedom of religion because it is your fundamental right.

“This campus belongs to all of us, irrespective of religious leaning. Therefore, it is the duty of everybody to ensure religious harmony. That is why council members and management team are here to show appreciation to you for the way you managed the crisis.”

Olanipekun reasoned that what Nigeria needed at the moment was prayer from every religious organisation and not unnecessary fight over which religion is superior or otherwise.

He added, “We need prayer to build our country; we need prayer to assist our leaders, and we need prayer to turn our trials into triumph. Therefore, let us all shun religious bigotry and love one another as members of the same family.”

Accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Afolabi Bamgboye, DVC (Academic), Prof. Adigun Agbaje, and the Registrar, Mrs. Omotayo Ikotun, Olanipekun thanked the Muslim leaders for displaying tolerance and maturity in handling the crisis.

He appealed to all religious leaders on campus to caution their followers, urging everyone to cultivate the culture of tolerance in order to maintain inter-religious harmony.

Responding, the Chief Imam, Dr. Abdul-Rahaman Oloyede, thanked the council chairman, promising that Muslims will continue to preach and practice religious tolerance, while condemning terrorism.

Other members of the council in attendance included Dr. Gani Adeniran, Princess Abiodun Ladega, Prof. Francis Egbokhare, Prof. B. O. Oke, and Prof. Kabiru Isyaku, among others.

Source: The Punch Newspapers