Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday declared open the 79th National Islamic Vacation Course (IVC), with a call on Muslims to sustain the teachings and tenets of the religion for peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths.

The programme which is being attended by 4,000 students from across the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is being organised by Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

Themed: “The New Dawn: MSSN on Call”, the governor described the IVC as a training programme for Muslim students across the country designed to foster unity, promote excellence and deepen the time-tested Islamic values among the believers of Islamic faith.

“We need to collectively address the decadence and near collapse of morality among our children. The rate at which young people get involved in various social vices is alarming. Substance abuse, drop in commitment to collective good, and misuse of social media are issues that must engage our attention.

“We must also be vigilant on security issues, including banditry and abduction for ransom. I also want you all to interact and deliberate on the ways to utilize this gathering to enhance national unity, promote healthy debate on diversity and national development. We need concerted efforts of all the religious groups to accelerate national growth and development.

“I want to thank you all for bringing this programme to bear. Our administration is in full support of this event.

I therefore encourage you to use this vacation course to develop your better understanding of Islam to the benefit of our society. On our part, we will not miss any opportunity to promote inclusion, peace, multiculturalism and unity in diversity anchored on love, patriotism and mutual respect for one another,” AbdulRazaq stated.

The chairman of Council of Hosting fathers and mentors, Justice Idris Haroon, said over 4,000 participants are participating in the programme and thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for his support for the religious course.

National Amir of MSSN, Mallam Shehu Abubakar called on youths to participate in the 2023 general election actively and vote wisely in order to salvage the country.

The Amir, MSSN Kwara Area Unit, Mallam AbdulRahman Abdulmumin said the programme will feature quiz and essay competition, human capital development, leadership training courses among others.