Emma Elekwa
National Orientation Agency (NOA), Anambra State Directorate has reiterated its commitment in the ongoing war against growing moral decadence among Nigerian youths.
State Director, Mrs Ifeoma Chijioke stated this during a visit to the Anambra State Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka at his Obosi palace.
She regretted the “signing out of school” practices among graduating secondary school students, describing such unholy act as evil.
The NOA boss said the visit was to brief the monarch, among other things in the state on the developmental programmes, activities and policies of the federal government in the country.
“Director General of the agency, Mallam Isa Lanre Onilu is deeply committed in the ongoing war against moral decadence among Nigerian youths, including the extreme signing out of school practice among graduating secondary school students in the country.
“The agency’s burning desire is to catch the youths young, establish integrity clubs in school across the country.
“Under the club, we can organize quiz competitions for the students as well as teach them importance of hard-work, self reliance, spirit of discipline and other aspects of the national core values as they grow,” she said.
Request for sensitization session
Chijioke pleaded with the monarch to grant the agency opportunity to further educate members of the Traditional Rulers Council on inherent dangers of moral decadence among the teeming Nigerian youths.
“We’ll also be pleased to educate the monarch on signing out of school practice by graduating secondary school students and other social vices bedeviling them in the society for urgent solution,” she added.
Receiving the NOA boss and his team in his palace, Igwe Iweka pledged his willingness to identify with the agency.
He said the agency was established to proffer solutions to the hydra-headed problems bedeviling the country over the years through her sensitization programmes.
The monarch however regretted that many Nigerians hear about NOA, but scarcely know about their responsibility.
“Nigerians are busy blaming the leaders on top on the die-hard corruptive tendencies in the country, forgetting that the hydra-headed monster is now endemic at the grassroots.
“Corruption in Nigeria today is from bottom level to top. Corruptive tendencies among Nigerian youths at the grassroots is alarming,” he decried.
Challenge to the youths
The monarch challenged the youths as future leaders of the country to join forces with government in the ongoing fight against corruption, moral decadence and get money quick syndrome in the society.
He further urged parents to teach their children morals and character, calling on lawmakers at all levels to sponsor bill aimed at establishing moral and corruption institute where youths would be taught how to become responsible Nigerians, describing such idea as his concept over the years.
“Nigeria society is failing. Today, young people sell hard drugs in open places. In 2015, we mobilized ourselves and embarked on aggressive war against selling of hard drugs in Obosi community and we arrested over 300 culprits.
“But you know what, all of them later went back to this ugly business without recourse to their unwarranted actions”, Igwe bemoaned.
