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Igali advises Bayelsa youths to eschew social vices * Extols Gov Diri's exceptional support for youths

By Inegbagha Majesty

 Youths in Bayelsa state have been advised to eschew all forms of social vices and adopt a lifestyle characterized by positivity as well as role models toward ensuring bright future for themselves and contributing to the overall well-being of society.

 

Comrade Deacon Robert Igali (JP)
The State Director-General Centre for Youth Development, Comrade Deacon Robert Igali (JP) gave the advice in an exclusive interview with Global Overseer in Yenagoa.

The DG reminded youths that indulging in social vices would have a far-reaching consequence not only for individuals but also for the state development.

He reiterated government commitment to addressing myriad of problems confronting youths in the state arising from drug abuse, pipeline vandalism, unemployment and school dropout among other associated crimes.

On drug abuse, he said government has commenced youth enlightenment campaigns on its dangers and the need youth to stay away from it, explaining that apart from disallowing its victim not to concentrate on its dreams; it equally has the capacity to make its victim useless or mad.

Comrade Igali also pointed out the negative impacts of pipeline vandalism, saying that apart from destroying the ecosystem it has the negative effects of reducing federal government revenue allocation to the state.

On school dropout, the DG said government has made it mandatory that education is free from primary to secondary school levels, and it is left for parents to ensure they play complementary role to send their children to school.

Igali who described youths as critical commodities, stressed the need for both government, parents and everybody to play the role of incubation, skill building, educating and encouraging youths to be more productive.

He explained that because if we fail in our responsibility either as parents, government or traditional rulers, crime and criminality will take a centre stage of their lives.

Using himself as an example of a youth who recognised the importance of making a responsible choice and cultivate good character to secure bright future, Igali said " I am a youth yesterday, but today I am a youth manager because my parents, my guardians and my leaders prepared me for this office. I didn't come from Heaven. I am equally a youth that had least youth privileges. So, any youth hearing my voice take advantage of what is within you and do not look to what your hands may not reach for now. Work with commitment and dedication, and speak your voice to yourself; I want to be this, and I want to be responsible. And when you have spoken that word to yourself, I see, you will become what you want in Jesus name," he averred.

The DG enjoined youths to associate to young and determined people who are focused on making their dreams come true and achieving their life goals.

" So, my advice to young people is that anything that will incriminate you, take yourself away from it, and use some of us, Distinguished Comrade Robert Igali as your mentor.

We are available to mentor you and guide you towards the way of progress and prosperity, and development and you become response. I have a leadership clinic. Young men between the age of 40 down pass through my tutelage. I counsel, guide and mentor you, and you become responsible in society," he maintained.

The DG enjoined youths to associate to young and determined people who are focused on making their dreams come true and achieving their life goals.

" So, my advice to young people is that anything that will criminalise (incriminate) you, take yourself away from it, and use some of us, Distinguished Comrade Robert Igali as your mento.

We are available to mento you and guide you towards the art (way)of progress and Prosperity, and development and you become response.

I have a leadership clinic. Young men between the age of 40 down pass through my tutelage. I counsel, guide and mentor you and you become responsible in society," he maintained.

He observed that some of the youth’s problems were not caused by them but might emanated from their parents’ poor attention to their children or background, adding that government in realization of this, started dealing with the foundation or the root causes of youths’ involvement to social vices.

In a bid to have safer environment, according to him, all stakeholders- parents, traditional rulers and government must put all hands on deck to ensure that youths are giving a pride of place, saying that the present administration of the state is doing its best to better the lot of youths of the state.

He used the forum to commend the governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri for his exceptional support and laudable policies, programmes and development strides towards enhancement of the welfare of youths to become self- reliance and contribute meaningful for societal development.

He said government will also continue to pursue policies and programmes that will develop the potentials in the youths and make them productive members of the society.

As part of government importance attached to youths’ development, he said, his office had commenced enlightenment and orientation campaign to enlighten and orientate youths to reciprocate government kind gesture and desist from social vices and embrace government policies and programmes to sustain the existing peaceful atmosphere in the state to attract investors.

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