By Ikemefuna Asika, Awka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has called on Nigerian youth to join in collaborative efforts of ensuring peace and safety in the country, channel their strength towards sustaining peaceful coexistence and volunteer information to security agencies to enable them to nip in the bud the menace of criminals and criminality.
The Assistant Commandant of Corps, Operations ( AC, Ops) at the NSCDC Zone K , Zonal Command Awka, Onyebuchi Onwuteaka gave the charge in Awka on Friday while delivering a paper at the Anambra Youth Investment Summit organised by National Youth Council of Nigeria ( NYCN) Anambra State Chapter.
Onwuteaka who decried the rising spate of cult activities, extremism, banditry, robbery, senseless killing, kidnapping, political thuggery, drug and substance abuse as well as online fraud among young people, implored the youths to embrace useful adventures and engage in vocational skill learning.
” I must commend the leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for putting up this investment summit tagged: “Think Home Agenda” to enlighten young people, reduce youth restiveness and empower them to be financially stable towards sustainable development.
“The NSCDC will continue to harness the intelligence and energy of youths to combat youthful restiveness and make them more responsive and resourceful to national development ” he said.
A statement signed by Edwin Okadigbo, Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Command, indicates that the Assistant Commander underscored the need for understanding and harmony as necessary conditions for sustainable economic growth and development that would tackle poverty, hunger and inequality and called on youths to make themselves available to be included at all levels of government as well as empowerment that would enable them to occupy their rightful position in the society, as against being used as political thugs.
“One of the key components of sustainable development is Peace, once there is peace, a healthy environment is assured for development. I urge you to be law-abiding and shun negative tendencies as well as violence in order to make the society secure.
“Instead of engaging in social vices , I challenge you to take part in productive ventures, be involved in the formulation and implementation of government policies, this of course will equip you to be self independent, reduce intent to commit crime, prevent conflicts, and translate to a healthy society that we desire”.
He counseled the youth to be mindful of the fact that time and tide wait for no one, so they should act fast while the opportunity avails itself.
