Insecurity: Encourage youths to embrace education, ex-perm sec tells FG

Kunle Adegboye, a former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has called on the Federal Government to motivate Nigerian youth, particularly in the North, to pursue education as a means to combat rising banditry and kidnapping.

In a recent interview with PUNCH Online, held during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Fatima College 7074 Set at the Ibadan Recreation Club in Oyo State, Adegboye, who also serves as Vice President of the 7074 Set, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal activities.

“The government must take strong measures to ensure our youth, especially in the North, are compelled to attend school,” he stated, highlighting the region’s higher illiteracy rates as a significant issue. “This is a pressing concern for our future. Young people are more susceptible to manipulation due to their lack of education and awareness.”

Adegboye urged President Tinubu’s administration to prioritize this issue, suggesting that vocational and technical training should be part of the solution. “By engaging these youths in education and skills training, we can reduce insecurity, if not eliminate it entirely, since idle hands can lead to trouble,” he added.

Henry Otoibi, the National President of the college, echoed Adegboye’s concerns, lamenting the decline in educational standards. “When we were in school, education was valued and celebrated. Parents aspired for their children to receive a good education, contributing to society,” he recalled. “However, over time, the quality has deteriorated, and the value system has changed. While we live in a digital age, the foundational values we learned still guide us today.”

Otoibi advocated for returning schools to their original founders, particularly missionaries and private individuals, arguing that this would enhance educational quality. “The government manages too many schools, which dilutes its effectiveness. When Tinubu was in office, he successfully returned some schools to their original owners, enabling better focus on those under government control,” he noted.

He also recognized the efforts of the 7074 Set in maintaining the college’s reputation and standards.