Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Mrs. Yewande Amusan has urged the youth to emulate the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Mrs. Amusan described Soyinka as an epitome of tradition, cultural values , an icon and a global citizen of remarkable attributes worthy of emulation.
The commissioner stated this during an interactive session with reporters yesterday at Prof. Wole Soyinka’s residence in Abeokuta on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) said yesterday that it was prepared for the dissolution of Nigeria.
The youths noted that Nigeria was long overdue for division, insisting that oil wealth was the only cord binding the country together.
The statement followed calls from northern youths that Nigeria should be dissolved peacefully.
The Ijaw youths said their northern counterparts spoke when they visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
But IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, said: “To the IYC, this call by northern youths has vindicated our age long position that the only thing holding Nigeria together is the petrodollars from the Niger Delta.
“By this call, it is now clear that the moment the oil wells in the Niger Delta dry up, Nigeria would cease to exist.
“We also welcome the call by northern youths for northerners in the South to return home within two weeks,” he said.
The IYC statement called on Niger Deltans and southerners living in the North to return home.
“The IYC wish to strongly call and warn Niger Deltans and southerners in the North to take this call very serious.
“The IYC calls on Niger Delta governors and other southern governors to accommodate and take care of southerners who would return home. We call on Niger Deltans to be vigilant in the coming days,” the statement said.
Youths from Ehor in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State blocked the Benin/Okene Road yesterday.
They were protesting the over four-month blackout in the community.
Their spokesman, Osaghae Mark, said they had made several complaints to both Benin and Ekpoma branches of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
He said: “The problem is that for the past five months now we have not had light. Some areas have light; other areas don’t.
“We have been asking BEDC why. They said our transformer is bad. Four months ago, they brought new transformer to us. They refused to fix the transformer; yet they still bring bills.”
BEDC spokesperson Curtis Nwade said he was not aware of the protest.
Young people have been urged to be active in voluntary blood donation. The State Co-ordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NTBS), Calabar Centre, Dr Wilfred Ndifon, gave the charge during a voluntary blood donation exercise held on Monday to commemorate the World Blood Donors’ Day.
Dr Ndifon said: “Apart from voluntary blood donation being a noble act, it helps to make blood available and affordable to people who are in need of it. Thus, it plays a very great part in saving life. Those who donate blood also derive some benefits from the exercise.”
Speaking on the theme: Safe blood for saving mothers, Mr Okanga Ngim, said several people were in dire need of blood every day.
“There are a lot of people who need blood to survive. Their health depends on you and I because when we donate blood, it becomes available and affordable,” he stated.
He lamented the low turnout of donors, which according to him, was caused by ignorance.
Ngim said a donors’ club, Club 25, had been established in higher institutions to create more awareness on voluntary blood donation.
Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Odey Emmanuel, 300-Level, Library and Information Science, University of Calabar, said curiosity made him become a regular blood donor. Emmanuel who is also the president of Club 25, UNICAL chapter, encouraged other students to join the club and donate blood regularly.
I have come to realise that there is always the last chance to learn the truth. The truth would definitely set one free. The truth about our country’s political activity must be told. I don’t know the actual truth but somebody knows the truth. Whether it is All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Musiliu Obanikoro or Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, I don’t know either but I know that someone knows what majority of Nigerians do not know.
The nub of this piece is not the rightness or wrongness of claims and counter claims of our leaders but how it affects our destiny as a people. I am bothered by the fact, that when our peers in other developing countries will be handed a progressive nation with well-defined national goals, we would be handed a failed state with aimless goals.
Handing over of leadership is not a choice; it is an established natural law that nothing can change. Those nations with enlightened leaders are conscious of the inevitability of death; that is why they mentor the youth to take over. Our leaders seem ignorant of this fact of life, that is why they chose to be part of the problems of Nigeria rather than being part of the solutions.
Why should we be engrossed in myopic politicking when our health system is amongst the worst in Africa, our education is deteriorating every day, corruption is escalating on exponential scale and employment is killing our national potentials, insecurity and terrorism creeping into our national life?
The Boko Haram issue is a complete mockery of our national dignity and it is actually a manifestation of degenerations in every stratum of our national architecture. I believe strongly that some people are working day and night to disintegrate this nation. Unfortunately for us, they are more purposeful and better co-ordinated than our leaders across board. They are more dedicated to their mission than our leaders and even more disciplined.
Asiwaju Tinubu made a mistake in 2011 by opening the Southwest to the PDP rather than Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), with which the progressive could work with in finding alternative governance for the country. He allowed himself to be misled by the old Afenifere/NADECO caucus whose agenda since after June 12 remains diabolic. The same folks are his greatest enemies today when he chose to merge with Muhammadu Buhari’s CPC. Maybe Buhari’s tear in 2011 is what is haunting us today.
Achievements of Tinubu in our national life are too significant to be made feeble by anybody, not to talk of Obanikoro. Asiwaju did not only provide the Southwest with a performance-based leadership template, he also courageously engaged the ruling PDP in battle of idea, making the ruling party to promote some modicum of idea.
If it took the PDP to mobilise substantial components of the national security apparatus to ‘intimidate’ Ekiti people to win the election, it only implies that Asiwaju and his party have not failed. It connotes too that the ruling party truly needs to engender purpose-based leadership and respond to yearning of the citizens.
But then, Obanikoro and his principal should know that it weakens the moral character of the military to be employed in domestic issues. What should matter to an average soldier must not be local politics, but securing the nation from external aggression. Once we involve soldiers in local matters, we would have destroyed the last apparatus of our national unity.
Ambassador Obanikoro would earn the respect of the youth if he could channel the energy of our soldiers to checkmate security challenges facing us rather being used to chase politicians. He is a politician, so we cannot say he shouldn’t play politics. But there should be limits to political desperation.
If the junior minister could express an opinion that Boko Haram mess was created by Tinubu’s friends who promised to make Nigeria ungovernable for this government, then it speaks more of political desperation.
Perhaps, Obanikoro knows something we don’t. In a saner country, he would have been questioned. It means he is abetting crime against innocent Nigerians.
I will conclude by appealing to all political gladiators to employ decorum in their utterances and know that politics can only take place when there is peace. We should borrow from aphorism of Magareth Fuller, which says: “Men, for the sake of getting a living, forget to live”. If you have to destroy the nation to govern it, it only indicates one thing: foolishness.
To the youth, I want us to see beyond loyalty to personalities in politics, so we can begin to evolve progressive principles. If we demand good governance, they will be compelled to give it. Our population is made up of over 62 per cent youths, which means Boko Haram kills six youths out of every 10 victims. When 10 people died in road crash, six youths may be involved. When 10 people vote, six youths would be among. Let us appreciate our strength and give our fatherland a secure future. I leave you with a mind full of hope. If it is to be, it is up to you.
Habeeb is a student of Nigerian Law School, Abuja
Youths have been urged to combine academic excellence with good character, to make the society great.
The Chairman, Board of Governors, Jextoban Secondary School, Ketu, Lagos, Pastor E.A. Ojo, who spoke at the weekend at the school’s 16th Valedictory Service/Graduation Ceremony of Class of 2014, said youths should be studious and disciplined.
He said: “We expect our graduating pupils to combine good character with sound knowledge so that they will stand out. We have zero tolerance for indiscipline and will uphold our identity and integrity at all cost.
“There can be no success without self discipline, dedication, diligence, determination to succeed and of course, God. The God factor centres on the fear of God. We have taught you to be disciplined and to respect constituted authorities. I have no doubt that you will build on these virtues and values.”
The head teacher, Mr. E.A. Adegoke, said the school expected its pupils to aspire for greatness through vision, values and virtues.
Said he: “Everybody desires growth and advancement in life, but only a few make it to the top because of the absence of the components and essentials that help people to get to the top.
“The most essential ingredients required for advancement are vision, values and virtues. You cannot get to the top without a vision.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area have equipped over 300 students with various skills.
The UNDP vocational skill acquisition centre, which is managed by the council, offers training in catering and hotel management; fashion designing and tailoring; hairdressing and cosmetics; bead making and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Speaking at the 11th graduation of the centre at the council secretariat the council chairman, Hon Idris Bolaji Ariyoh said the centre has helped to reduce poverty as the youths are now gainfully engaged.
“The establishment of this centre has gone a long way to eradicate poverty within our community thus reducing social vices to a minimal level. The centre has produced proficient youths who are a pride to this community. This has no doubt transformed our local government from being a den of hoodlums to a more peaceful and serene area,” he said.
Also speaking the principal of the centre, Mrs Odusina Muhammed said the purpose for establishing the centre has been achieved.
“It has helped the community to have sense of belonging. It has also empowered those that do not have the well withal to further their education. We have trained many youths who are today employers of labour through the skills they have learnt,” she said.
The council boss urged the grandaunds to make judicious use of the skills they have acquired to impact their lives and their families thereby impacting the community positively.
The youths have been urged to promote national unity, regardless of their social or religious difference. This advice was given by the United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle.
Speaking on the topic: Youth empowerment to forge a strong Nigeria at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the US envoy said the youth must labour to create a new country despite the challenges of unemployment and insecurity.
He said: “Your country faces a lot of challenges, especially in the areas of security and employment. But I fully believe that your country can as well overcome these challenges and move into a great future. Nigerian youths can play a role in ensuring political stability and security.”
He added that the US was willing to partner with Nigeria to empower young leaders, saying: “The United States is committed to partnering and sponsoring on-going effort in public and private sector to empower youths because they are the leaders of tomorrow.”
The envoy called on religious groups to preach the gospel of peace and harmony.
He charged the youth to use their skills and talents for the growth of the country, adding that they must not be used as thugs during election.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said he was optimistic that the visit would foster enduring partnership with the United States Government and her research institution.
Beneficiaries of Fulbright exchange programme, Dr Chinenye Amaonyeze and Chiamaka Echeta, 200-Level Pharmacy, praised the efforts of the embassy to promote education .
From the recent violent activities perpetrated by youths, the future looks scary, notably in this age when our senses are bombarded with varying shades of crimes committed in our institutions of learning.
The events seem endless. We have heard cases of oppression of students; students being robbed on their way to class; harassment of lecturers and the murder of lecturers and students in cold blood. There have been cases of rape, robbery, kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities which have given rise to considerable level of fear among students and members of staff of our institutions. This, inadvertently, gives credence to the fact that there is so much violence in the minds of some youths. It is infuriating, however, to hear that another lecturer has been kidnapped in one of our institutions. The bottom-line is that there is simply no regard for human life in the mind of the vicious youth.
The ever increasing crime rate is assuming a dangerous dimension. These cruel youths are frequently reported in the news killing or seriously injuring people. The peril of that brutality dangles heavily in the air. Several of the tales are true. This is nothing but the influence of peer pressure and a certain need to “belong.”
The management of different institutions of learning has continued to try their best in ensuring that the case of cultism is totally aborted. The disturbing fact is not just the growing rate of the violence but why different measures designed to put an end to these activities have failed.
Non-Governmental Organisations and even individuals have, in the past, endeavoured to put an end to the hostility in tertiary institutions across the country. Different banners and leaflets have continued to adorn the public, yet the problems have not reduced. It has continued to increase.
The logical question to ask ourselves in the midst of these cruelties is what then could be the cause of these hostile acts? Such enormous hatred and violence could only stem from a reason. After all, a river usually has a source.
Essentially, the media is blamed for the cruelty. Whilst some have argued that the media has really helped in reducing violence, others have maintained that the true cause of violence lies in the media because of the publicity given to the violent activities of some youths. The general notion is that the media is responsible for the violence perpetrated by youths, going by the content of some of the movies we watch and the music we listen to. That may explain why in some homes, newspapers, televisions, radios or any form of media are not found because the parents in such homes have agreed that the less the children are exposed to such things, the less violent they would be.
Looked from another angle, substance abuse may well be another cause of violence in the youth of today. I mean it has even got to the stage where all sorts of harmful substances are seen as a stimulus for performance. It is now commonplace to find kiosk or stores selling these substances inside or very close to institutions.
Equally, peer pressure is also an important factor that necessitates aggression in these students. When someone interacts with the wrong set of people, his or her focus might be on how to live up to the expectation of his peer group, thus joining them in whatever activity they do not minding how deadly or harmful it could be.
Another equivocal factor is the alarming rate of broken homes. Courts are swimming with different divorce cases, and the ones who bear the brunt of these cases are the children. If not quickly helped, the children could grow up with a complex about life, thereby developing the mind of employing violence as a means to justify an end. Such person would have obviously forgotten the words of Abraham Lincoln who said, “ Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.”
Poverty, they say, is the worst form of violence, because poverty itself breeds violence in the minds of people. The issue of poverty today is also a significant cause of violence in our tertiary institutions.
The type of neighbourhood one lives can also help fuel the flame of violence in our society. The government is easily blamed for violence everywhere, but it is important to know that intolerance itself is a form of violence. We all should learn to be more tolerant and respect each other. Students should also learn to be content with whatever is offered by parents or guardians. Some students are possessed by the need to buy everything and belong to the elite class on campus, forgetting that our parents are investing so much in us by sending us to school so that we can make a good individual out of ourselves in future and contribute to the family, community and national development.
It is always said that, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. We should not, because of the limited time we would spend in school, forget all about values and traditions that had been imbibed in us by our parents.
Suliat, ND II Mass Comm., OFFA POLY
THE trip from Mosalasi to Iyana-Isolo bus-stop in Mushin, Lagos State is not a long one. If the road is free, it can be covered in about five minutes. But there is usually traffic, especially at Idi-Oro, Olosa and Iyana LUTH. Even with that, on the average, the trip can extend by 15 or 20 minutes.
On Monday, the traffic was unusual, occasioned by a trailer which fell into a ditch. The vehicle I boarded took a detour into Martins Street to use short cuts that would take us close to the last bus stop. As we meandered through winding back streets I was lost in thought about life in the area. We passed dusty roads with patches of asphalts here and there – reminders that they had once been tarred – crowded houses, some spacious ones, and people going about the general activities of everyday living. Given its accessibility, I thought life there would not have been so bad but for the volatility of the area. Clashes among rival street gangs are common in Mushin.
We soon ran into traffic. I was not surprised that it was caused by touts, young men, extorting money from motorists for diverting from the highway to ‘worsen’ the state of their roads. When our vehicle was to pass, the driver decided to use bravado to avoid paying the N50 toll. I understood his plight. There were only three of us, and the fare was N50 each. Giving the touts N50 meant parting with a third of his income. No one would be happy to give his hard earned money to self-appointed taxmen who would likely squander the money on booze, women and drugs.
But his audacity did not work. One of them stood brazenly in from the vehicle. The other, and by far the rougher fellow, came to the driver’s side and threatened to deal with him. Holding up a bleeding finger, he said, “One of your kinds did this to me.” As he made further threats, he waved the finger about, allowing his blood to splatter on the driver, the dash board, windscreen, floor and seats of the vehicle. “I will deal with you if you are not careful,” he added menacingly in Yoruba.
We passengers could not stomach it anymore. “Was it him that injured you,” I asked. “Why are you threatening him?” another woman queried. We could as well not have spoken. The fellow did not as much as humour us with an eye contact. After he walked away, his colleague collected the money, regardless of what we thought of them.
All this while, a boy on a bicycle had paused, watching the encounter. He was close enough for me to tell him not to follow in the footsteps of the touts but struggle for a bright future for himself. He listened and nodded attentively. I hoped he would not grow up to be like them. Given the large number of unemployed youths in the area, I was not sure he had many role models.
I thought of the touts too. What must have led them to that way of life? What kind of childhood did they have? One of the other passengers remarked that they likely belong to large families that did not care about their upbringing.
The incident reminded me of where I was coming from. It was a seminar for student teachers of the University of Lagos who are training to care for very young children. They were told to take their roles seriously as they would be laying the foundation on which the young lives would be built. The convener, Mrs Funso Chikezie, made a vital point about starting early to entrench the right values, morals and attitudes into young children so they grow up to be responsible adults. This responsibility starts from the home, then the school. The environment also has its influences. But strong efforts by the home and the school to guide young people aright can help them withstand the pressures from their surroundings.
We failed our youths of today by not providing them with the right foundation from the start. Limited opportunities, corruption and financial hardship make the situation worse. Returning them to the straight and narrow is no easy task. It is a long term process that will require resources, campaigns and a lot of determination. We must be ready to do this for them if we hope to enjoy our senior years. As for the young ones joining us every day, we must not fail them.