Shun cultism, political violence – Soun tells youth
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade has advised Nigerian youth to shun cultism and political violence to have a resourceful and excellent future career.
Oba Oyewunmi who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Oyo State Scout Council, gave the advice at the grand finale of the celebration of the 100 years of Scouting in Nigeria with the theme: “Live and help live” held at Loyola College, Ibadan.
Speaking through Scouter Olatunde Olatunji, the Soun pointed out that Scout organisation was put in place to shape the lives of the youth to become responsible adults in the society.
“Do not allow yourselves to be used by politicians for thuggery and political brigandage which could cut your life short and turn you to criminals. Follow the tenets of the Scout organization and the rules enshrined in the shaping of your character. It is by doing this that the objective of this training exercise can be achieved”, he said.
Oba Oyewunmi charged Nigerians generally “to shun cultism and other anti-social acts which are capable of truncating their future ambitions.
Founder, Spiritual Head and Chief Imam, Sharafadeen in Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabitu Olagoke in his lecture, declared that scouting which had been in practice since 1915 in Nigeria, has been very effective in moulding the character and life style of many youths, but lamented that activities of some youth who engage in cultism in many academic institutions have limited the impacts of scouting in the life of youths.
Professor Olagoke in his lecture entitled: “Youth and Challenges of Cultism”, identified parental and home background, peer group influence as well as inadequate religious and moral education as some of the causes of cultism in the country.
“Many youth join cultism in search of responsibility, satisfaction of aspirations and needs, search for security, social identity, and by so, possess illegal firearms, engage in drug abuse, violent crimes like armed robbery, and illicit serial escapades,” he said.
Professor Olagoke added that there was the need for parents and the government to strive to curb cultism and other social vices through moral education, aggressive evangelism, and sensitivity of youth organisations on leadership training needs of their members just as the Scout Council was doing.
