Against growing number of youth involvement in antisocial vices, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state has urged the youth to shun such vices as a way to repay investment made on them by their parents.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ dialogue on stemming the tide of social vices among students: ‘A panacea for positive growth in Ilorin’, the governor appealed to students not to engage in any of the vices for the sake of their future.
Cultism, cyber crime, drug abuse, and sexual abuse, among others, set you up for uncertain future of regrets, stigmatization, premature death, and inability to attain your dreams. I am pleading that you do not engage in any of it for the sake of your future. Your parents have made huge investments to make you a successful person.
“The way to pay them back is to shun any activities, associations, and affiliations that will make them cry”, he said.
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The event, which was witnessed by a large number of students from different secondary schools and tertiary institutions and serving youth corps members in the state, had the presence of the state commissioner of police, Victor Olaiya, state commander of the NDLEA, the zonal commander of the EFCC, students’ union leaders, school heads among others as panellists
Represented by the commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mary Arinde, the governor said that the event was organised to give the students fresh perspectives and open their eyes to danger associated with anti-social activities.
He also asked them to make good choices that will give them a head start and make them a valuable member of the Nigerian community.
“Distinguished students and young people, this conversation is not about name-calling or public shaming of anyone who may be involved in any of these social activities we have talked about.
“You mean a lot to us. The future of this country is tied to how you all turn out to be. It is not too late to make the right choice. Please do not let us down.
Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, on his part, said youth indulge in cultism and cyber crimes because they are in haste and desperate to achieve set goals, admonishing them to thread slowly.
“Some youths are too desperate to get things done. Don’t be in the fast lane. Try to stay on the slow but steady lane, because those who are on steady lane win the race,” he said.
A University don, Prof Mary Fajonyomi, in her lecture, said cyber crimes, drug abuse, examination malpractice and other forms of social immoralities are largely bred from “sick” homes, where she noted, lack the good morals.
Fajonyomi, who decried how poor parenting is fast crippling the society, tasked all parents and guardians to be alive to their duties by properly monitoring their children, and guide their steps to succeed and become useful.
Prince Momoh Olugbenga, who represented the Minister of State for Youth Development, thanked the state government for organising the event.
He said the Federal Government is committed to engaging Nigerian youth positively through training and restraining in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition.
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