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Nigerian students in tertiary institutions of learning have been enjoined to follow the positive and right side of society as potential leaders of the nation.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the advice during a courtesy call by the leadership of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the Rivers State University in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor was quoted urging students to keep hope alive in the midst of challenges currently facing the education sector in particular and the country in general.
He observed that the major problem with the country today is that, what is considered abnormal or wrong in other societies has become the norm in Nigeria, querying a situation he described as ”where people with questionable character are being venerated as role models.”
While lamenting that people with sound morality and good character were in acute short supply in the country, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, advised the students not to despair but imbibe good character and positive attitude.
The Deputy Governor urged them to be studious and hardworking, and shun antisocial behaviors, stressing that cultism was a deceptive fallacy that lures the gullible to their destruction.
Addressing a request to sponsor an SUG Walkway Project to link the Law, Environmental and Science faculties of the University, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that he would support the project within the limits of available resources.
He, however, turned down the suggestion to name the project after him, insisting that such honour should be given to any of the past vice chancellors or Deans of the affected faculties
He said: “Nigeria is currently overwhelmed by negative things and characters. What I mean is, what is abnormal or wrong in other societies has become the norm or right thing in Nigeria.
“Even our universities are now awarding degrees to most graduates who are only competent in learning without sound character. Today, we have many graduates who are intellectually sound, but who don’t have positive character.
“Our country is what it is today because we have millions of people out there who lack character. But unfortunately, those are the people most of you see as your role models”, the Deputy Governor said.
“As my children, I want to charge you on morality, and to be law-abiding citizens. Stay away from drugs and cultism because they will only ruin your lives. It is only cowards that go into such.
“I’ve heard your request and I will try to support the project within the limits of available resources. But what I will not accept is the aspect of naming the project after me.
“No, I don’t like immortalizing myself while I’m alive or in office. That is why I hardly accept awards. Thanks for the offer, but the project be named after any of the past VCs or Deans of the faculties you have mentioned”, he added.
Earlier in his presentation, the SUG President, Rivers State University, Mr. Kelechi Omano, said they were impressed with the achievements and performance of Senator Ewhrudjakpo in all the offices he has held both in the past and present.
Kelechi, who pointed out the importance of the proposed SUG Walkway Project, appealed to the Deputy Governor to further contribute to the development of his alma mater by sponsoring the project.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of Award of Excellence to the Deputy Governor by the President of the Students Union Government of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukw,Port Harcourt.
