Nigerian youths have been advised to shun thuggery and other criminal activities, and aim higher in life as the 2023 general election across the country approaches.
Speaking with The Tide, recently, in Port Harcourt on the upcoming polls and the fate of youths, a political scientist, Jim Stewart, warned the younger generation of the dangers of electoral violence.
He said that most candidates seeking elective offices leave their children overseas and engage other ignorant youths, arming them to fight for them as they go about their political campaigns.
This, he said, may cause untimely death, severe injury, drug addiction and other electoral malpractices which could land some of the youths behind bars, thereby destroying their bright future.
Stewart reminded the youths to comport and discipline themselves, and urged them to improve themselves academically.
According to him, “I am glad I was once a vibrant youth of this nation but led on good morals for effective growth.”
He enjoined youths to be patient while contributing to the growth of the country and society.
“Leadership can happen at all levels,” he said.
He also blamed the country’s leadership travails on lack of credible institutions that would run leadership courses for future leaders.
“One of the setbacks we have in our environment is that we do not teach leadership in our country.
“As critical need as it is, in other parts of the world, they have institutions that offer quality governance via leadership training”, he said.
On the 2023 polls, Stewart urged both the INEC, candidates and the electorate to play the game according to the rules for peace to continually thrive in the country.

By: Bethel Toby