Warns against any act of religious intolerance, disunity on campus
By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) has inaugurated an implemention committee to develop guidelines for religious activities on campus following a recent intervention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Recall that the crisis initially erupted after the Shura (the university’s central Islamic governing body) blocked the Tijjaniyya Group from using the main campus mosque for their specific activities.
In response, the university management had allocated a separate piece of land to the Tijjaniyya Group to defuse tensions. However, this move sparked further protests and student unrest, forcing the DSS to step in.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba who was speaking during the inauguration of the committee at the ATBU Gubi Campus on Thursday, directed that all activities in the university’s two main mosques be strictly limited to the five daily prayers.
Professor Garba emphasized that this measure will remain in place until management receives clear modalities on how to safely operationalize external security recommendations.
“No other gatherings, lectures, or religious events will be permitted until the new regulatory framework is established.The involvement of national security became necessary as the unspecified incident began attracting significant national attention, threatening to escalate beyond the university’s borders” he said
He stated that the committee has been given a two-week deadline to submit its report, adding the management of the university selected the members after careful consideration.
According to him, the three primary objectives of the committee is to advise the university management on how to execute five specific recommendations issued by the DSS,, Develop a comprehensive code of conduct for all religious activities on campus and offer any additional recommendations necessary to resolve the current situation.
Professor Garba commended the DSS for its timely intervention and constructive recommendations, noting that no responsible government would allow such a volatile situation to snowball.
While urging students, staff, and stakeholders to exercise patience during the two-week window, the Vice-Chancellor reminded the audience that the university operates within a multicultural and multi-religious society.
He called on all parties to embrace a spirit of reconciliation, mutual understanding, and tolerance.
Earler, the University Registrar, Kabiru Garba Aminu, revealed that the DSS summoned university management, security chiefs, and leaders from the Shura, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), and the Tijjaniyya Muslim Students’ Association (TIMSA) for a five-hour emergency meeting.
He said that the security agency recommended a five-point resolution to restore order, which the university has now adopted
According to him, “The resolutions include al Islamic religious sects must be allowed to use the designated university mosque for their activities. The separate plot of land previously allocated to the Tijjaniyya Group has been officially withdrawn, as they now have full access to the campus mosque.
” The leadership structure of the Shura and the MSSN will be overhauled to ensure equal representation for all Islamic sects within the university.Aappointment of the University Imam will now be directly handled and controlled by the university management.Also, the university will strictly invoke and enforce campus regulations governing religious groups to ensure peaceful coexistence”
The commitee is chaired by former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Saminu Abdurrahman Ibrahim, alongside Co-chairman Dr. Usman Hayatu Dukku, and Registrar Kabiru Garba Aminu.
The committee is tasked with developing a strict code of conduct for all campus religious activities and operationalizing the DSS recommendations.
They been given until July 15 to submit their final report to the Vice-Chancellor.
