Muslim students across Lagos state have raised concerns about negative effect of a popular reality Television show, BBNaija, on psyche of youths and other young learners, saying continued airing of the show was contributing to pool of social vices in the country.
They also expressed concern over the hosting of the BBnaija show at a location in Lagos, a situation the students argued, was “unfavourable for youths’ development in the state”.
The students under the aegis of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, while bemoaning the negative effect on the program which they listed to include distraction and promotion of immorality, asked the Federal Government to ban the reality show over the danger it constitutes to youths.
The MSSN Amir (president) Miftahudeen Thanni, through a statement on Thursday to commemorate the 1443AH Islamic new year and International Youths Day, said that banning the show would be the best gift to mark international youth day.
According to Thanni, the reality show has emerged as one of the Mostafa dangerous distractions confronting youths in the country. He warned that the show would weaken the morality of youths, adding that banning it would send a strong signal to youths that government promotes modesty.
The Muslim students’ leader wondered why the government “pretended” not to know the danger of the “nude, irritating and soul-damaging” programme while some of its officials disturb, harass, intimidate female Muslims who use the hijab.
He said, “The show negates everything about morality. It is evil and a danger that could damage the strong moral foundation that many Nigerian societies are known for. It is the worst distraction for Nigerian youths.
“This immorality extends beyond just nude dressing to encouraging youths to sell their bodies to get fame and make money. We express our total rejection of the programme and call on the government to ban it.
“This indirect porn programme is also giving teenagers a bad orientation that making it in life must come with a price of exposing their bodies, thereby causing high cases of rape in the society.”
Thanni called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to live up to their expectations by scrapping the programme on moral grounds.
“Relevant broadcast authorities should pay attention to the damaging nature of this programme. It is ruining the lives of youths. If Nigeria is serious about fighting crimes, we cannot afford to leave this kind of programme unscrapped,” he added.
Furthermore, Thanni also called on the government to intensify efforts to end insecurity in the country, noting that putting a stop to illicit shows, among which is BBNaija, on television is a part of that.
While congratulating Muslims over the New Year, Thanni commended governors who declared public holidays for Hijrah. He, however, berated the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for not declaring a work-free day.
