Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday, appealed to Nigerian youths, especially students, to shun drug abuse, cultism and other actions that could ruin their future.
He said that the future of Nigeria is tied to how the youth turn out, urging them to make the right choices.
The governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Stemming the “Tide of Social Vices among Students: A Panacea for Positive Growth.”
The programme was organized by the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Abdulwasiu Onidugbe. It featured panel discussions where the panelists shared their views on how to tackle the drug and cultism menace.
“Cultism, cybercrime, drug abuse, and sexual abuse, among others, set you up for an uncertain future of regrets, stigmatization, premature death, and inability to attain your dreams. I am pleading that you do not engage in any of these for the sake of your future,” the Governor said through the Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Dr. Mary Arinde, who represented him.
“Your parents have made huge investments to make you successful. The way to pay them back is to shun any activities, associations, and affiliations that will make them cry.”
Gov AbdulRazaq commended Onidugbe for the initiative and appreciated all security agencies and other stakeholders who contributed to the success of the discussion.
“This conversation is not about name-calling or public shaming of anyone who may be involved in any of these social activities we have discussed. It is about giving you fresh perspectives, opening your eyes to the dangers associated with these activities, and asking you to make good choices that will give you a head start and make you a valuable member of our community,” he added.
The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Rt Hon Yakubu Salihu Danladi, represented by Hon Rukayat Shittu; some cabinet members; State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya; State Commander for NDLEA, Bashir Ibrahim Muhammed; Ilorin Zonal Head for EFCC, Harry Erin; Director of the National Orientation Agency, Kwara State branch, and panelist, Olusegun Adeyemi; heads of federal and state institutions, academics, corps members, and students from across the tertiary and secondary levels.
The Minister of Youth Development, Jemilat Bío, who is from Kwara, was represented by Prince Momoh Olugbenga, while Hon Yinka Dallas stood in for the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Onidugbe, in his remarks, said the dialogue was organized to raise awareness about the severity of the menace, share experiences and expertise, and collaborate on effective strategies and solutions.
He said, “It is unfortunate that social immoralities on campuses are on the high side, thereby undermining the efforts of the government and putting the students’ lives at risk.”
He said there is a need for all key stakeholders to join hands in protecting the students and ensuring their success.
Commissioner of Police Olaiya, for his part, said youths indulge in cultism and cybercrimes because they are in haste and desperate to achieve set goals, admonishing them to tread 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 the steady lane win the race,” he said, pledging to continue to work to rid the state of all forms of crime.
A university don, Prof Mary Fajonyomi, in her lecture, said cybercrimes, drug abuse, examination malpractice, and other forms of social immorality are largely bred from “sick” homes, which lack good morals.
Fajonyomi, who decried how poor parenting is fast crippling society, tasked all parents and guardians to be alive to their duties by properly monitoring their children and guiding their steps to succeed and become useful.
Adeyemi, in his contribution, said it is important for parents to ensure that their children are properly guided on the use of social media, failing which, he said, can expose them wrongly.
Prince Momoh Olugbenga, who represented the Minister of Youth Development, commended the state government for its commitment to youth development and how it continues to groom them for a better future.
He said the Federal Government is committed to engaging Nigerian youth positively through training and retraining in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition.
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