Shun Cultism, Gangsterism, Drug Abuse, Social Vices; Aregbesola Admonishes Youths

…as he Receives State Under 15 Football Team

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has warned youths especially the students of both secondary and tertiary institutions to abstain from all forms of social vices and any act capable of tarnishing their brighter future.

Governor Aregbesola said the only constant factor that can hinder swift achievement of one’s ordained fulfillments, successes and progresses in life is to indulge or inculcate evil acts especially at tender age.

Aregbesola gave the admonition why receiving the State’s Under-15 Football Team who just bagged Bronze accolade at the just concluded Southwest Under-15 Football Team, in his Office, Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.

Aregbesola who described youths as the only hope for sustained socio-political and economic realities of Nigeria, implored the younger generations to rededicate themselves and imbibe the virtues of Omoluabi ethos which according to him could add the needed values into their collective lives.

He frowned at the incessant involvement of youths across the world in all forms of social vices and immoral acts, saying the time has come for government at all levels to rise to the occasion and find a lasting solution to the menace.

Governor Aregbesola expressed disaffection over what he called ‘pitiable and worrisome situation’ of youths lives in Nigeria, saying youths needed to be reoriented into the platform of new life which he said, “will help to combat the present situation of the already proliferated immorality and anti-social behaviours prevailing among the youths.

Aregbesola said the statistics have shown the greater involvement of youths in various drug abuses, kidnappings, maiming, insurgency, armed robbery, internet fraudulence among others, stressing that unless youths develop a mind set of being productive, resourceful and useful to their nation, the futuristic hopes embedded and reserved in them would not be allowed to manifest.

Governor Aregbesola urged Nigerian youths to always see themselves as good ambassadors of country and as well demonstrate high sense of patriotism, nationalism and commitment towards the concept of nation’s building and national development.

“Emphatically, youths should be seen as epitomes and paradigm of national hope, peace, unity and cohesion and this must be manifested in their characters, attitudes and behaviours in the society.

“It is unfortunate that youths in Nigeria and across the globe who are supposed to project the favourable images of their various countries by being good ambassadors, have turned themselves to ready-made instruments in the hands devils.

“Many of them are now into drug abuse, armed robbery, kidnapping, maiming and other social vices. These acts must be stopped and youths must see virtues of Omoluabi as priority in whatever they do.

“Our youths must abstain from drug abuse, gangsterism, hooliganism as well as any act of immorality that can ruin their brighter future and hamper them from getting to their ordained destines.

“Having prioritized education, our administration has been working round the clock since inception to bring about quality, effective and qualitative modern education calculated to change the face of teaching and learning in all public schools in the state.

“In our efforts to achieve this mission, the current administration would not on no account condone any act of indiscipline, cultism, gangsterism and hooliganism in all its terms and forms”, Aregbesola stressed.

While praising the State’s Under-15 Football Team for coming home with Bronze and other prizes from the just concluded Southwest tournament, Governor Aregbesola expressed delight in the fact that the children of the state had the opportunity of participating in such a regional football competition.

Aregbesola who commended the players drawn across the Public High Schools in the state, said with the medals brought by the team, the state has added to its accolades in football competitions.

He said, “Our children have made us proud once again. We all know that this competition organized among our children are to foster regional integration in the western region, therefore, it is our joy that Osun was part of the progress.

“We were not only participated but we brought home Bronze and other prizes as our child (one of the players) bagged the highest goals’ scorer, this is a plus for our state.

Governor Aregbesola however warned the children against bad company, saying there is the need for them to avoid being lured by evil doers.

“Now that you are doing well in physical fitness and football competitions, there is the need for you all to take your education seriously as well as your priority because it is best legacy you could bequeath from your parents.

“Shun anything that could mortgage your future because you are the hope and future of this nation”, Aregbesola warned.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, State of Osun Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi commended the team for coming out with fying colours and for making the state proud in education and football competitions.

Chief Ogunjobi who attributed the successes recorded by the team to the prompt intervention and contributions of the current government, saying the incumbent Governor has done a lots in boosting the welfare of younger generations.

Chief Ogunjobi who led the team to Shagamu, where the competition took place applauded the timely performances of the players, disclosing that seven of the players from the state have been selected for inter-regional and national competitions.

He said the competition had given the children of the state an ample opportunity to meet and synergize with their colleagues from other parts of the western region.

He said, “our Governor has proven to us as a lover of children whose passion for the welfare of younger generation could not be surpassed. This has been continuously demonstrated in all areas of economy especially in education and youth empowerment.

“The beauty of this competition is the fact that it has helped in synergizing and entrenching the existing relationship, peaceful co-existence and mutually benefited interactions among yoruba people in the region.

“This competition has also boosted our children morale in the areas of football competitions and social relations”, Chief Ogunjobi affirmed.