Nigeria Observer, 10 August 2014

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River chapter, has organised a sensitisation workshop on the Human Immuno deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV/AIDS as part of activities to mark the 2014 International Youth Week celebration.

Speaking at the workshop in Calabar the Chairman of the organisation, Mr. Okori Oko, described youths as the conscience of the society.

"All over the world, youths are regarded as the conscience of the society. They are looked upon as leaders of tomorrow and the hope for the future.''

He noted that Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of Nigeria, late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, late Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, among others, became renowned through positive youth activism.

He added that youth activism led to the attainment of independence of these and many other African countries.

He urged parents, philanthropists and well-meaning members of the society to always support youths to realise their set goals.

He commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River for establishing a Polytechnic in Ugep local government area of the state, to produce technology-driven youths, who would fit into different sectors of the economy.

Also speaking, Dr Michael Okom, the Executive Director of Life Resource Network, an NGO, observed that youths were the most talented and gifted in the country.

He urged youths to shun all forms of vices such as drug abuse, cultism, pre-marital sex, and bad peer group, among others and instead take their academic work seriously.

One of the resource persons, Miss Joy Etim, advised the youths to avoid pre-marital sex, adding that it was capable of truncating their future.

Source: Nigeria Observer