A former Governor of Osun, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, says many youths in Nigeria have wasted their lives by indulging in self-destruction, instead of pursuing sound education and knowledge.
Aregbesola spoke on Wednesday at a Book Launch entitled: “Eleniyan Perspectives”, written by Mr Segun Olulade.
Olulade was a two-term lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly who represented Epe Constituency II.
Aregbesola said the future belongs to youths, adding that the society must be more concerned about them. He said the trend in many parts of the world was that youths were increasingly setting the pace.
The former governor said that most Nigerian youths were into self-destructive activities, including ritual killings, kidnappings, armed banditry, alcoholism, drugs and get-rich-quick-syndrome.
Aregbesola, who is a minister-designate, described the trend as worrisome, saying, if the trend continues, there would be no future for the country.
He advised Nigerian youths to seek information and knowledge from the entertainment industry, saying that the world had become increasingly competitive and the future would be knowledge-driven.
“The most critical factor we must address now, with all seriousness, is education. Education is the foundation on which any successful enterprise is built.
“It is only education that can bring liberation and freedom. Education has gone beyond ability to read and write to include knowledge,” he said.
