By Asuquo Cletus
Students from the Niger Delta region have called for an immediate end to gangsterism, cybercrime, rape, drug abuse, cultism and other social vices that have plagued their communities for too long.
The students led by comrade Scott Uyiosasere the Niger Delta Student Union Government Worldwide President, converged on the streets of Calabar to descry the devastating impact of gangsterism and cybercrime on the youth of the region.
Gathered in their numbers, the students clad in branded t-shirts and wielding placards, marched through the city, chanting slogans and singing songs that emphasized their demand for change.
Addressing newsmen at the rally, comrade Scott said it had become necessary for students in the region to rise up and challenge the vices, as youth are the leaders of tomorrow.
He challenged the students to emulate worthy leaders that would impact positively on their lives and the country at large.
He said: “We are here today to officially flag off our initiative to sensitize our students and our youths that they should shun social vices because as a student union one of my dreams is to see our students become of good character.
“This initiative will help us to tell our students to shun all social vices because after school there is life. All the Niger States will have this initiative in their school.
“We want to use this medium to appeal to the youths and students because all these vices are consuming so please shun it and be a better person to our regions to our families and communities.
“There is always a way out if you watch some of these vices. They are premature wealth they don’t last. The youth are indulging themselves in short cuts of wealths and these are youths that are supposed to be creative.”
Highlighting the importance of learning a skill, Comrade Scott said “We are here to encourage our students to be good citizens and shun it. I am an actor, content creator and a DJ. I decided to learn all this things so that I don’t indulge in vices, yes it is not easy but youth should stop this crimes.
“We are hoping and praying we encourage students to learn a skills, our students should emulate good leaders like the minister of interior, check out the transformation he has done in the interior ministry, check out Betta Edu the former minister she is doing exceptionally well so youth should not indulge in crime but learn a skills.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on student affairs, Eyam Joseph Kelvin, hinted on government efforts in reducing the increase of social vices in the state.
He disclosed that the government has launched scholarship initiatives to youths and students, urging them to take advantage of the initiatives and become good ambassadors of the states.
“We as a government are against cyber crime, cyber crime generally is a crime, cyber crime is not tolerated. We are doing everything we can to discourage our youths from engaging in cyber crime.
“The youths should take advantage of government efforts and initiative. The government will not come to your house to assist you. We in Cross River State, the issue is Youth friendly governance where the youth can gain access to government initiative and benefit themselves.
“We are not dividing and ruling in Cross River State, we are doing the most inclusive governance here in the state. The people’s first administration is what we are focused on.
“The reason we are including the youth is that we don’t want to be involved in crimes and social vices,” he said.
In response, the Deputy Commander in charge of drug demand and reduction unit, Nnamdi Ada, commended the students for their courage and determination.
She however called for the student not to be involved in drug and substance abuses, saying “Youth should do away with anything that has to do with drugs.”
