Stop frivolity celebration, Group cautions Governor Abiodun

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG has frowned at monetary and material gestures to the winner of the 2020 Big Brother Naija,(BBN), Season 5, Lekan Agbelesebioba, (aka Laycon), by Governor Abiodun of Ogun State.

Penpushing reports that the Ogun State Chapter Coordinator, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde in a statement described Abiodun’s gestures  as misplacement of priority and unjudicious use of public funds.

The statement  noted that the Governor’s action amounts to celebrating frivolity, promoting immorality and indecency which Big Brother Naija( BBN) represents noting  that the activities of  the project undermines Nigeria’s much cherished cultural and ethical value.

Penpushing further reports the muslim body advised the Nigerian government on need considering   ban on the play group, noting  the doling of  N5million and three- bedroom bungalow to celebrate Laycon as misleading, ill-conceived and a misdirection.

‘The fact that several youths in the state have done the state proud by winning laurels at national and international fora in literature, science, sports,etc and which were not adequately rewarded have made Laycon’s celebration a mockery of excellence’, the group posited

Penpushing also reports that, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria denounced Laycon’s honour of “Youth Ambassador”, by the Ogun State Government under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The group which lauded the governor’s recent accolades to teachers for excellence stated that Laycon’s own is incomparable and has no basis,noting that the state is the cradle of civilization and therefore put a question mark to the premise for which Big Brother Naija(BBN) winner is being celebrated.

‘While understanding the dilemma of the governor in maintaining a balance between political considerations and ethical values (by way of appreciating relevant constituencies and groups), MMWGN felt the style or approach could have been further reviewed as State Chief Executives must always be exemplary and noble, both their actions and inactions’.

The group in noting the constitutional provision of right of existence and freedom of association and participation counselled the governor to prioritise the use of state funds and avoid wastage under the pretext of rewarding and celebrating excellence.

Penpushing also reports that in a related development, the body described the disbandment of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as a painful setback to the steady and calculated efforts to ensuring national stability.

The group noted that government’s action is in tandem with popular opinion, and argued that ‘you do not throw away the baby with the bad water”, describing the ceaseless brutality and terror being unleashed on the people by the disbanded operatives as worrisome.

Penpushing further reports that, the body called for caution in the continued nationwide EndSARS protests, stating that the persistent public demonstration has become unjustifiable since government has taken initiative in addressing the public demands.

The group  admonished Nigerian youths to always exercise restraint and eschew violence in the exercise of their rights, asking them to embrace the culture of moderation, sensibility and maturity in carrying out lawful and genuine protests to express their anger over unpopular policies.

The group commended the President, National assembly members and Governors for their ‘display of understanding’ in handling the EndSARS protests, just as it sued for patience by the public over Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT, a fresh police formation announced by Inspector General of Police to fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct outfit, as claimed by the police boss.