The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), an NGO, has advised Nigerian youths to embrace positive values of honesty, integrity and hardwork to ensure that the country was safe for all.
Mrs Babafunke Fagbemi, Executive Director, CCSI, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos as the world commemorates International Youth Day (IYD) 2018, with the theme: “Safe Places for Youth”’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aug. 12 is set aside by the United Nations as International Youth Day (IYD).
The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youths, and the first IYD was observed on Aug. 12, 2000.
Fagbemi said it was unfortunate that the issues affecting youths in Nigeria had expanded to include economic, political, academic, and moral issues.
She said that it was imperative that youths desist from living lifestyles that could pose physical, mental, emotional or other forms of danger to the peaceful existence of other people.
Fagbemi urged youths to be self-determined rather than completely depending on government or even their parents for their desired good life.
“The truth is that there are people who are fortunate to have parents who put certain things in place for them, but when you are not as lucky as such people, then you have to take responsibility for yourself.
“It is your life,” she said in a statement by David Lawal, Media Officer, CCSI..
She noted that when young people’s needs are not met, it often leads to frustration and desperation, which is evidenced in the kind of lifestyle some youths live today.
“Violence and other vices such as cultism, rape, armed robbery, drug abuse, internet fraud, gangsterism, being used as political thugs, are examples of their desperation and frustration in a bid to achieve certain life goals,” she said.
Fagbemi said that regardless of the excuses given when arrested in the condemnable acts, young people should know that such inhuman acts could not make the country a safe place for them or anyone.
“Instead, the youth should earnestly seek self-development and diligently appreciate what they can make out of a life of integrity.
“No matter what the economic situations are at the moment, they have a lot to do to improve situations in Nigeria.
“Believe it or not, the youth can make Nigeria great again and safe for everyone,” Fagbemi said. (NAN)