NAN-H-28
Youths
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Oct. 17, 2017 (NAN) A creative expert, Temitope Olagbegi, has identified too much concentration on politics and entertainment as major factors distracting youths from academic pursuit.
Olagbegi, the Creative Director, Sixth Sense, Lagos, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said “it has negative impact on their intellectual development’’.
She spoke on the sidelines of the Guardian of Hope (GOH) Foundation Excellence Award for Medical and Surgery Emergency Workers of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
According to her, the over-concentration is luring more youths to the “Get Rich Quick Syndrome’’, which most youths are now engaging in to the detriment of integrity and diligence.
“There is over-concentration on politics and entertainment; it is a misplacement of priority on the part of the government.
“Those offices are too attractive and confusing to youths.
“It is making youths not to be interested in the success stories in other fields; now, they are more interested in how to get rich fast and make a name.
“It is a downward slope on the integrity of the youths,’’ she said.
Olagbegi said that government needs to celebrate other people in various professions too.
“We need a balance so as not to have more young ones engaging in crimes.
“Youths must also find joy in other fields asides entertainment and politics; they want fulfillment, but when we concentrate on one to the detriment of others, the centre will be saturated,’’ she said.
Olagbegi said that other problems facing the youth include wrong mentorship and financial inducement for criminal acts.
“Youths are seeking knowledge and they must get it right on time; mentorships should be more of advisory than financial.
“To change the climate in Nigeria, we need a paradigm shift to genuine mentorships.
“Our youths must be nurtured the right way and should not be celebrating corruption and immorality currently pervading our society.
“Our young ones should be looking at good mentorship and not undue gratifications; this is robbing our society of qualitative leaders,’’ she said. (NAN)
KOJE/VIV/GOK
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye