Tever Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, has charged youths in the country to lead the war against drug abuse, cultism and other societal ills.
Akase gave the charge while lamenting the high rate of drug abuse and cult activities in Nigerian universities which has led to the death of many young lives.
He spoke in Makurdi when the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, the umbrella youth body for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, conferred on him the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Award of Excellence for emerging leaders, as well as that of Promoter of Youths Affairs.
Akase commended the Association for speaking against social vices such as drug abuse, cultism and kidnapping, calling on other youth groups to emulate NYCN’s awareness campaign to curtail the rising spate of crimes.
The Governor’s spokesman stressed that the fight against cultism and drug abuse could effectively be won if officials and members of youth organizations collaborate with the government and security agencies.
Akase encouraged young people to embrace agriculture and entrepreneurship in general, citing the Benue State example where Governor Samuel Ortom has created numerous opportunities for youths such as the partnership with Bank of Industry to give loans to Benue people at only 5% interest rate.
The Chief Press Secretary emphasized that the future of youth in Northern Nigeria, in particular, depends largely on education, agriculture and entrepreneurship as advocated by nationalists such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka.
While calling on youths to prepare themselves for future leadership positions by being proponents of good behaviour, Mr Akase assured the NYCN delegation that he would continue to passionately project the interests of youths.
