By Isah Hussein
As parts of the drive for a renewed hope in Nigeria, Open Africa Foundation, a non governmental organization in Nigeria has charged secondary school students to inculcate the right values that is anchored by love, with love, and for love, where everyone is more equal than they are now or they were in the past, having the firm believe that with hard work and commitment we can build a new Nigeria.
The Chairman, Open African Foundation, a United Kingdom based Forensic Expert, Tunji Aworinde gave the charge during an annual conference organized for secondary school students in FCT as parts of the “Catch them young” initiative.
Tunji remarked that moral values have been so much eroded in the present day society that people no longer call crime by it name, youths engaging in all sorts of immoralities, inhaling illicit substances and contributing to the heights of insecurity in the country.
He said if we must secure the future of the Nigerian society, there’s the urgent need to inculcate and raise young students who are often referred to as leaders of tomorrow with the values and principles of effective leadership because our future lies on the shoulders of the young students in secondary and tertiary institutions.
Mr Tunji while presenting awards to students who took part in the essay competition organized by the foundation on the topic “The kind of Nigeria I want and what I would do if I was the Nigerian President” where about 12 secondary schools in FCT participated said the initiative was to invigorate the spirit of patriotism in the minds of our children and to encourage them to toe the path of integrity, love and hard work, shun corruption, social vices and all forms of immoral behavior that is retrogressive to Nigeria as a nation.
“We need to build a new Nigeria that values the goodness of our hearts over the depth of our pockets. We need a Nigeria where wealth is not what is inherited by our children but the capacity to do good and stand up for your fellow man, a Nigeria Where you are known for not just your name and deeds but the goodness associated with it.”
While celebrating the children, he encouraged them that with hard work and commitment, all these is possible and charged them to chose the part of integrity, love and hard work for a better Nigeria, adding that if the
Also speaking, the Director General of Nigeria Institute Of Police Study, Abuja, Olu Ogunsakin said such conference is not only apt but very necessary considering the level of moral decadence in the country, adding that any life without good character is like a vehicle without tire, you can hardly succeed in life, so there’s need to inculcate into the young minds integrity, accountability and sense of responsibility.
He however charged parents to be of good examples to their wards, teach them how to be responsible citizens, when the right value is inculcated into them at early stage they will grow to become better people in the future and give back to the society.
The Hon minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman commended the Execution of Open Africa Foundation programme, saying education provides the knowledge, the skills and professional attributes to mould and bring about a successful career.
Another important aspect he said, is that education leads our life towards the best and up-moving direction. The competency examinations after the lectures and assignments appraise the level of students at a higher stage.
Mamman who was ably represented by the Deputy Director of the ministry, Adekola Ben said the capacity of governments to plan, co-ordinate, steer, monitor and evaluate youth policy is crucial to create synergies and overcome institutional silos by involving all relevant stakeholders in government and civil society.
“In imbibing the culture of integrity and accountability in Nigeria, youth requires education, positive role models, leadership opportunities, accountability mechanisms and civic engagements. These efforts can help promote good governance in Nigeria and create a brighter future for young minds”.
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