We did not ban male, female association during Ramadan – ATBU management

By: Monday Danladi , Bauchi

Management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), has described as fake, a memo in circulation regarding ban on male and female association during the 30 days Ramadan fast period.

The ATBU Management made the declaration through the Directorate of Information and Publicity, in a statement signed and issued by the Director, Zailani Bappa.

Recall that a memo had gone viral warning students of the University not mingle in opposite sexes throughout the fasting period or face grave consequences.

Zailani Bappa, stated that, “The attention of the University management is drawn to a fake, milicious, and poorly drafted memo, ostensibly emanating from the university and has since circulated widely on social media in the name of ATBU.”

According to him, “The fake memo, signed by a non existent staff of ATBU in the name of Professor Dr Aisha Rahman who at the same time presented as occupying a non existent office of Director, Academics in the University, warns students to desist from standing in public with their opposite sex during this Ramadhan period.”

Zailani Bappa added that,”The memo further contain a warning that any couple found standing in public places will be forced into marriage and will bear the responsibility of arranging their marriage reception.”

“As ridiculous as this nemo is, it has found traction in social media and is causing significant embarrassment to the University management,” he lamented.

He stressed that, “In light of the above, the management debunks the said news and wishes to inform the general public that neither the memo, the officer that signed it, nor its content emanates from the University.”

The Director concluded that, “The management, once again, calls on all ATBU stakeholders to always verify any information circulated on social media, no matter how convincing the information may be, before acting.