“If you have bad children running all over the place, carrying guns, killing people, kidnapping, ransom, or whatever, look at the background”.
Keynote speaker at the occasion and Chairman of Access Bank, Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika, listed peace, progress and civic responsibility as important attributes that youths, particularly students, should imbibe to reshape their mindset.
She said, “Civic Responsibility entails your involvement in activities and participation in things that bring about a better society with the foundation being education. This is because when you are informed, you are committed to carrying out function’s for the common good.
“You should have allegiance to God, allegiance to your country. Going by the Coat of Arms of our country and national flag, unity of Nigeria affect’s the progress of Nigeria. Your faith in Nigeria affect’s the progress of Nigeria. So a combination of unity and faith bring’s forth peace in Nigeria”.
Dr. Awosika further told the students/youths that, “Your mindset have to change from what you hear to concentrating on and obeying the rules and laws in Nigeria. Be a good student, join hand’s with others to create a peaceful and progressive society.
On the right’s of children, she said, “You have a right to life and right to life is for all. You have a right to equity. Being equitable means you have a right to be informed about what is good, what to do and what not to do. Be obedient to rules. Right to dignity. Right to worship. Right to privacy and personal liberty is your right”.
Representative of the National Security Adviser, Brigadier General AG Laka lauded AANDEC for initiating the awareness programme noting “it is very apt especially with the myriads of threats in areas that youths are the most vulnerable targets.
“Youths are most vulnerable in the threats environment. Lack of awareness by the youths make them easy prey. Youth’s should be particularly mindful of online recruitment. So be careful who you interact with online” he said.
Over 400 students drawn from 15 Secondary Schools in the FCT participated in the programme which held at the Nigerian Tulip International College.
