Over 2,500 students from 58 secondary schools in Surulere gathered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Friday, November 15, to participate in a symposium addressing societal vices.
The event, held as part of the Femi Gbajabiamila U-16 Football Competition, sought to inspire discipline and resilience in young people while combating issues such as drug abuse, cybercrime, and cultism.
The symposium, a key feature of the month-long tournament, brought together notable figures, including Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Lagos lawmaker representing Surulere constituency 1, Desmond Elliot; former football stars Nwankwo Kanu and Mutiu Adepoju; and other stakeholders.
Khadijat Kareem-Omotayo, Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, urged students to steer clear of harmful behaviours.
She applauded Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and lawmaker Desmond Elliot for organising the event, describing it as a significant step towards securing a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.
“Our wish is to see these children succeed in their endeavors and contribute to making Nigeria a great nation. Stay focused, stay away from drugs, cybercrime, and bullying,” Kareem-Omotayo advised.
She called on parents, teachers, and guardians to maintain vigilance in guiding the children’s development.
Elliot, the event organizer and a third-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, highlighted the importance of such initiatives.
“We must be proactive in dissuading kids from these vices. This initiative allows us to inspire and guide Nigeria’s future leaders,” he said.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Works, emphasized the need to engage youths in positive activities like sports to divert their attention from harmful influences.
“Drugs deprive young people of reaching their full potential. It is our collective duty to fight these vices,” he added.
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu, speaking via video, encouraged students to remain disciplined and focused.
“Hard work and dedication helped me achieve greatness in football,” he said.
Mutiu Adepoju, who addressed the students in person, echoed similar sentiments: “Without discipline and avoiding vices, I wouldn’t have been able to play in three World Cups and Nations Cups.”
Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, commended the initiative for targeting youths at a critical age when peer pressure is most influential.
He praised the alignment of the program with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda and called on all stakeholders to join hands in curbing vices.
Alhaji Abdullahi Mustafa, Chief Imam of Surulere, and Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Health, also underscored the damaging effects of societal vices on youths’ mental, physical, and social well-being.
They urged parents, teachers, and leaders to intensify awareness campaigns.
The Gbajabiamila U-16 Football Competition, which began on October 31, provides an avenue for students to engage in meaningful activities while discovering and nurturing their talents.
The grand finale and prize-giving ceremony is slated for November 24.
The event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of Nigeria’s youth.
Through inspirational speeches and practical advice, students left the symposium equipped to make better choices and contribute positively to society.