Seventh Day Adventist Church clerics in Gombe have advised youth against denting the image of the country through vices and activities such as internet fraud and drugs.
The clerics gave the advice while addressing newsmen during the 9th Biennial Convention of the Nigeria Association of Adventist Students (NAAS) North-east Zone held in Gombe Sunday with the theme: “Making A Difference.’’
Pastor Vealumun Iorkyaa, the pastor-in-charge of Northern Nigeria Union Conference, SDA Abuja, charged the youths to make the personal decision to stay out of whatever would give Nigeria bad reputation, adding “the choice to do things lies with an individual.
“We have the power to change Nigeria as youth if we stay on the right path. If youths are to become leaders, then staying out of drugs or substance abuse is one way of proving their preparedness.
“Our youths have no excuse not to shine and excel. Light is better appreciated compared to darkness. Nigeria has earned good name internationally, so, the youths should not dent it.
“The decision to live and to be different is personal. Our youths must take personal decision to do the right thing and stand for Jesus to create an environment free of drug abuse and other vices,’’ he said.
Iorkyaa also urged the youths to see drug abuse as a battle against their future and their ability to make Godly choices in life.
“The youths must stay out of drugs and whatever will destroy their health. Drug or substance abuse has never done anyone good. So anyone taking it is agreeing to destroy himself or herself.
“Our youths should shun all substances that negatively affect their body, mind and state of reasoning. Substances abuse and even use of those that are legal but not prescribed should be avoided,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Micah Junior, zonal president, NAAS, said the youth should stand firm against the forces of drug abuse and other social vices in contemporary time.
“ I advise Nigerian youths to stand firm and not to comprise on the good qualities that will promote the good ideas of living.
“We have to stand for what we believe and serve God because it pays to do so,’’ he said.
Pastor Ishaya Chullu, public campus ministry director, North-east Nigeria conference, SDA urged youths to stay away from everything that would give the country bad name, adding that drug abuse had destroyed the destinies of some youths.
“Youth who go into money scam online and other vices are giving the country bad name and that is not good. The youths should go out and make a difference by protecting our integrity,’’ he said
