Ojoto leaders urge youths to shun idleness

YOUTHS of Ojoto Community in Idemili South LGA have been urged to shun idleness but to rather embrace education and hard work as a panacea to social vices and youth restiveness.
The advice was given by community leaders during the maiden youth convention, themed- ‘Curbing Social Vices and Youth Restiveness’ and organized by Ojoto Youths Association (OYA) at Ndiabor Hall, Ojoto.
The traditional ruler of Ojoto, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu lamented on the bad name that some uneducated youths who indulge in land speculation were giving Ojoto.
Igwe Mbamalu tasked the youths to emulate other educated illustrious sons of Ojoto, saying that acquiring basic education would help one excel in his or her field of endeavour.
“For you to matter, you have to work for it. Each of you has opportunity to excel and come to lime light. Embrace education and self determination to excel in life”
“If you have opportunity to go to school, don’t miss it. Emulate land speculators who are undergraduates and graduates. I am praying for everyone to be gainfully employed”, said Mbamalu.
Igwe Mbamalu said that Ojoto people were not known to be sycophants but achievers. He warned any youth who was not a land owner to desist from land speculation.
“If you do not own a land at ‘Mbala’ do not go there or else you will be handed over to the police for constituting nuisance to the society”, he said.
Mbamalu further pleaded with Ojoto youths who were graduates to organize extra moral lessons for younger students during long vacation as a means of giving back to the society.
Presenting his key note address, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, mentioned idleness as a major reason for restiveness and indulging in social vices, urging the youths to positively engage themselves.
“Never give room for idleness. Do not be too big to do something. Nothing is too menial for your status. No great man achieved greatness on a platter of gold.
“I failed JAMB once. I sold tobacco snuff, peeled and hawked oranges and coconut to keep myself busy. Once you are idle, both good and bad friends will cluster around you” said Egwuatu.
Speaking on youths and Ojoto politics, Chief Romanus Anyisia advised those joining politics not to be self-centered, violent or  invest all their money in politics but to have the interest of the community.
“Before you join politics, think of what Ojoto community will benefit. Don’t invest all your earnings. Engage in consultations to pull resources and support. Politics is not only about your interest”, said Anyisia
Earlier in his welcome address, the President General, OYA, Arc. Mokwe Chinedu thanked the well to do people  of Ojoto, who helped to make the convention a success.
Mokwe stressed that the reason for the sensitization convention was to disabuse the minds of the youths who were drifting in the ocean of drug abuse, cultism and restiveness.
“Youths are the foundation of every society, we should come together and think on how to make positive impact in our society. We can overcome our challenges through determination and hard work,” said Mokwe.
The President of Ojoto Students Association (OSA) Ifeanyi Anyichie, while speaking on Dangers of Cultism advised youths to resist pressure from peers, saying that cultism gives false security and leads to untimely death.
Anyichie opined that Security agencies, leaders, churches should work jointly and contribute towards eliminating social vices by building a morally sound society.
Also, Secretary, OSA, Comrade Noblest Ufondu decried the high rate of suicide in Nigeria, attributing it to Idleness, depression and frustration. He disabused the mind of youths who see suicide as means of escape.
Highlights of the convention was Award presentation to deserving members of the society who had been championing the course and welfare of the youths and entire Ojoto community).