Increasing youth crime rate blamed on poor mentorship culture

The Michelle’s Youth Initiative for Sustainable Development has emphasised the importance of mentoring youths, saying this is vital part of development in nation building and a way of reducing unemployment and crime.

Its Founder, Comrade Michelle Onyeneke, made the call in Abuja during a national workshop on youth development with the theme, “Explore your talent and say no to crime.”

Comrade Onyeneke noted that only few Nigerians see mentoring as an important thing to do, saying more people must see the need to embrace this act in order to guide younger generation to the right path.

“It is quite unfortunate that mentorship rarely exist in this part of the country which is vital part of development in nation building we encourage our leaders/ philanthropist to mentor people not only from the immediate family but from outside too it helps to reduce unemployment and crime.

“There are very few Nigerians who have done well and are still doing well on youth development and humanitarian services and we call them beacon of hope for Nigeria Youth,” she said.

She also called on the federal government to provide the enabling environment for young people to embrace agriculture and charged young people to take advantage of the agricultural sector, stating however that government must create incentives to drive agriculture in the country.

“Much has been said about agriculture as a veritable means to economic development and youth empowerment. And as at today, I doubt if there is any clear road map on how this can be achieved.

“Government can provide storage facilities that will keep farm produce beyond this season. Again, government can buy these produce from individual farms operated by the youths, as soon as they are harvested,” she stressed.

According to Onyeneke, if this is provided it will go a long way motivating youths to put more efforts, knowing that the government is always on hand to patronise them.

She urged youths to always shun drugs and all forms of criminality, while challenging them to work hard towards redeeming the country from the older generation and make it a better place for all.

Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of Ecuador to Nigeria Leopoldo Rovayo, maintained that drug intake is destructive, just as he emphasised that it will be difficult for it to be legalised even though there has been a call to that effect in his country.

Chairman of the occasion and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Platinum Mortgage Bank, Engineer Emmanuel Mbaka, urged youths to desist from drug as it can destroy their lives by preventing them from chasing their dreams.

Earlier, former Special Assistant to the former President Goodluck Ebele Johnathan, Comrade Jude Imagwe, noted the dangers in drug intake while stressing that there is no reason for youths to involve themselves in the act.

High point of the event was the recognition of some youth mentors including the President of Belema Oil, Jack Rich Tein; Former Kaduna state Governor; and PDP Chieftain, Ahmed Markafi, CEO of Platinum Mortgage Bank; CEO of Pacific Group, Prince Joshua onyemauche; Hon Sylvester Agbaga; Senator Ahmed Salau Ogembe; and Prince Harrison; amongst others.

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