CHILDREN’S DAY: Prof Ibe Enjoins Youths To Shun Deviancy

Chancellor of Gregory University Uturu and leading APGA governorship contender Prof Gregory Ibe has felicitated Abia children and youths on the commemoration of the 2022 International Children’s Day celebration.

Speaking on the backdrop of the theme for this year’s celebration, “Strengthening Supportive Systems for the Protection of the Nigerian Child: A wake-Up Call”, the renowned academic advocated for the urgent provision of enabling social environment that will not only shield the child from harsh conditions of the society but also stimulate and subsequently fast track speedy development and transformation of the child.

While congratulating the children and youths on the celebration of their day, Prof Ibe enjoined them to shun all social vices capable of truncating their development and encouraged them to rather seek God now with their youthful energies, stressing that “as the holy bible assures every other thing shall be added unto them”.

According to Prof Ibe, “I want to urge our young people to shun all evil tendencies and flee such social vices as cultism, substance abuse, violence and sexual immorality, which can truncate their development. In line with God’s command, I encourage them to rather invest their youthful energies in seeking God first knowing that as the holy bible assures every other thing shall be added unto them”.

While advising the younger children to develop interest in the study of science and mathematics in order to acquire competitive education that will in turn make them relevant in the global world of work, he counselled the youths to shun peer pressure and imbibe the virtues of character, honesty and purity as a way of life.

Prof Ibe promised to implement child friendly policies that will guarantee provision of enabling environment for equal development of all children and youths in Abia if elected governor.

Celebrated annually in Nigeria on 27 May, Children’s Day is usually set aside to honor the younger generation and to recognize that minors have a right to health, education and protection.