INTERVIEW: We’ll focus on human capital development, image making – New Amir, MSSN Lagos

It was with an immense sense of fulfillment that the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit sworn in a new executive council led by Mallam Miftahudeen Thanni in a widely followed virtual electoral conference today, August 16, 2020.

This follows the expiration of the term of office of Dr Saheed Ashafa, the immediate past Amir of the most vibrant Muslim Students body in Nigeria, leaving a big void which was filled amid excitement and joy.

Today’s electoral conference which was monitored by Muslim News saw the emergence of Mallam Thanni as the new Amir, expected to mount the saddle and administer the affairs of the society for the next three years.

In an exclusive interview with Muslim News, Mallam Thanni said his new appointment is an amanah (trust) which he, and other members of the cabinet will account for on the day of judgement, praying to Allah to assist them in discharging their responsibilities creditably.

According to him, “Being an amir of this noble organisation is an herculean task. A tasking responsibility that I know I can’t do alone except with the support of my cabinet members. When we join hands together, Allah will make it an easy task for us. We didn’t crave for it; we didn’t contest or campaign to be elected. It was Allah that saddled us with it. It was Allah’s will which we accept in good faith. Allah will assist us.”

Commenting on his plans for the student faith-based organisation with the largest membership in Nigeria, Mallam Thanni, who has both first and second degrees in Political Science, stated that human capital development would be his priority, saying desired results can only be gotten when members are properly empowered.

He also believed that though the MSSN is doing better in the area of image-making, the best is yet to come, affirming that image-making will constitute his second top priority.

He said, “You know that we were only elected today (Sunday). I haven’t met with my cabinet members to discuss our agenda for the next three years. But I can assure you that, the first thing we should do, as a matter of urgency, is human capital development. When people are empowered, they will work assidously in achieving organisational goals.

“The second one is about image-making. MSSN is no small organisation in our society today. But we can still do better by promoting the brand better. Through this religious organisation, we can better the lot of all and sundry in the society — Muslims in particular. You shall get to know more about our agenda by the time we commence work in earnest.”

The Doctoral candidate in Political Science at Lagos State University also dreams of a Muslim students’ body where stakeholders in government at various levels would be partnered with and engaged to explore ways the organisation could be supported.

“We will also ensure that all the strata of the MSSN structure do the job they are supposed to do. For instance, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit is going to engage the Lagos State government. MSSN at the area councils will interface with their respective chairmen. MSSN at the central branches will engage their councillors accordingly.

“At the zonal level, we have officials supervising the Amir. Each of these zonal officers will have cordial relationship with the senatorial representatives and those representing us at the House of Representatives. We will focus more on the government, on how to better the lot of our members and give back to the larger society.”

Mallam Thanni at a glance – A brief academic profile of the new Amir

He holds an N.C.E in Islamic Studies and Political Science – Adeniran Ogunsanya College Education (AOCOED)

BSc. Political Science – Lagos State University (LASU)

MSc Political Science – University of Lagos (UNILAG)

LLB Law – University of Lagos (UNILAG)

PhD Political Science (In View) – Lagos State University (LASU)