The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kolawole Salako, has admonished youths to allow responsible people to be their mentor even as he called on parents to pay more attention to the behavioural pattern of their children as they grow.
The Vice-Chancellor gave this charge while addressing participants at the seminar organised by Golden Goose Entertainment, tagged: Teen Focus Africa, held at the Sacred Heart Catholic College, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Prof. Salako stressed that parents should be able to discern positive or negative changes in the lives of their children as he advised youths not to be distracted with the various societal vices, but to remain resolute.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that teachers in primary and secondary schools need to work on the strengths and weaknesses of their students for proper growth and development.
He added that parenting should start from childhood, saying that parents should not leave their children to live their lives as if they do not need mentorship.
According to him, institutions have their roles to play right from primary school, adding that the formative years in terms of primary education is very important.
He stressed that students at the tertiary institutions believed they should be independent, stating that as long as they are youths, they need a lot of advice. According to him, they should be humble enough to seek mentors and role models they can identify with within their schools to assist them.
Commenting on generational shift, the Vice-Chancellor said that there was a shift from the old to the current generation, stressing that the current generation depends more on Information Technology. He noted that they should embrace the positive aspect of technology to develop themselves and make a living.
Speaking on the get rich quick syndrome sweeping the youths of today, Prof. Salako frowned at the way youths nowadays are looking for money in crude means, saying the act does not signify success. He said that success is when one gets the value for money he has, and a successful person is the one that gets to the peak of his career through legitimate means.
On the issue of admission into higher institutions, Prof. Salako charged the young ones to have plan B, noting that at times, they may not be given courses of their choice, but related courses. He charged them not to be discouraged relating this to his own admission issue when he put in for Agric/Economics, but was placed to Soil Science, which he eventually came out best in his class.
Also speaking at the seminar, a Professor of Communication Arts, from the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Jendele
Hungbo, said money, booze and sex are three things that preoccupy the minds of the youths these days, adding that those three things should be regulated in a sane society.
Prof. Hungbo said that money should not preoccupy the mind of any student in secondary school or higher institution, noting that sex should be done when they are married.
He admonished the participants not to allow those three things to distract them, adding that anywhere they find those things unregulated, crime rates would be high.
Likewise, Mr. Abiodun Omoyayi, a Public Relations Officer from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, warned the participants to resist the urge of cutting corners as the consequences are grave.
Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Founder, Golden Goose Foundation, Mr. Bright Adesina said that the focus of the seminar was to look at people who have reached the peak of their career without paying attention to the societal distractions and vices, and invite them to the stage to guide the youths to be useful to themselves and the nation.
He stated that the seminar would afford them the opportunity to know personalities that have succeeded in their chosen careers and have the opportunity to ask questions from them. Mr. Adesina admonished the youths to think of a better Nigeria and remain focused to make it work.
Delivering his closing remarks, a former member, Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Oludotun Fasanya, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for honouring the invitation. He described Prof. Salako as humble and a good role model that students can emulate.
Hon. Fasanya encouraged Mr. Bright Adesina and his wife to continue with the good work they have embarked upon. He challenged the students to make use of the lessons they acquired from the seminar.
Secondary schools in attendance were the Marie Curie International College, Idi Aba: Ultimate Landmark Schools, Lafenwa: JOA International College, Onikolobo and Sacred Heart Catholic College, Ibara.
