Media Anti- Corruption Initiative (MACI), a non- governmental organisation (NGO) and advocacy group, has condemned the rising spate of crime among the Nigerian Youths.
In a press statement signed by the Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Funso Olojo, the journalists group expressed sadness over the development which it believed was the fall out of the pervasive influence of corruption in the country.
According the group, this vice that has assumed pandemic level has negatively impacted the value system of our youths who now pursue inordinate ambition to make quick money by whatever means.
The loss of moral value, noted the advocacy group, has given rise to get- rich -quick syndrome among our youths which has led to a sickening level of crimes such as ritual killings, internet frauds known as Yahoo and other forms of criminal activities.
“Corruption in the Nigerian system is beginning to have rippling effects on the youths.
“As Nigerians in government and other areas of human endeavours try to corruptly enrich themselves, throwing overboard values for meritorious services, the youths have begun to learn from them albeit negatively.
“An adage says “the horse at the rear imitates the speed of the one in front.”
“Our youths are not seeing any value in hard work and serving the society. What they have learnt from their elderly ones is nothing but spirit of getting rich quick syndrome.” MACI observed.
The group noted that governments and organisations are not encouraging youths to pursue programmes that elevate the society.
“Students with best results are given nothing or something very embarrassing while programms where youths indulge in indiscipline and indecency like Big Brother Nigeria attract millions of naira, houses and cars”
“The youths these days do not value education as much but are after getting rich, hence the increasing number of Yahoo boys and ritual killers” the group lamented.
The Media Against Corruption Initiatives (MACI) therefore called on government and institutions to begin to reward godly character, excellent educational performance, research and creativity among the youths.
“Programmes that corrupt and add no value to the society should be discouraged while our judicial system should be more proactive to dispense off cases of corruption and violence with speed and heavy punishments” the advocacy group advised.
It therefore urged parents to be inquisive about their children sources of wealth or anything they see with them that are suspicious.
“MACI calls on everyone to regard his/her neighbours as suspects and never to go out with anyone without letting their family members know about their movements.
“Everyone should be on his/her guard monitoring happenings in their locality with a view to reporting strange movements and developments to the law enforcement agents.
“Nigeria is passing through a new phase where there is no fear of God and youths look for money by all means which has made violence to be part of our daily life, the group noted.
It therefore called on all well-meaning Nigerians to put all hands on the deck to bring back values that would put the Nigerian society on the path of love, peace, progress and development.
