By Haroon Ishola-Balogun

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has counseled members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN who are aspiring to become journalists to be fully ready for the challenges ahead especially in the reportage of Islam.

A delegation of MMPN, Lagos chapter made this charge when the body paid a courtesy visit on delegates and officials at the just concluded 102nd Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) organised by the MSSN at Human Capital Development Center (HCDC), Noforija, Epe, Lagos recently.

From Left: Mustapha Kilani, Asst PRO, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit; Abdul-Rasheed Abubakar, Author, Hijab and The Nigerian Press; Haroon Ishola Balogun, Vanguard Newspapers and Secretary, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, Lagos Chapter; Idris Qasim, Head PRO,MSSN, Lagos Area Unit and Tajudeen Adebanjo, The Nation Newspapers, Public Relations Officer, MMPN, Lagos chapter during a visit by MMPN to the Islamic Vacation Course, IVC organised by MSSN, Lagos held at Noforija, Epe, Lagos State.

MSSN information department

The delegation include Alh. Haroon Balogun of Vanguard, Alh. Sekinat Lawal, National Mirror and Alh. Tajudeen Adebanjo, The Nation.

When they visited the information department, they were received by top officials of the department.

Addressing the officials, Balogun identified the need for qualified and conscious Muslims to populate the media. He expressed concern over several misconceptions about Islam which as affected the image of the religion and Muslims generally.

He stated that Islam is not enjoying enough publicity merely because of the skewed decisions of some media owners, adding that more Muslim journalists could change the situation.

Adebanjo however tasked the officials to explore all avenues at acquiring the required skills that will distinguish them as qualified and exemplary Muslims  professionals among their counterparts.

In her own goodwill message, Lawal charged the officials to harness their intellectual resources and take full potentials of the online media.

“The mainstream media may fade out in the next 10 or 15 years so, we’ll now be in for the online media,” she added.

She urged female journalists not to sacrifice Islamic etiquette for crass opportunity and ensure they spend quality time with their spouse and children.

Head of MSSN Lagos information department, Idris Qasim, commended the Muslim journalists for training the undergraduates.