FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INAUGURATES COMMITTEE TO CURB SOCIAL VICES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
The Federal Government has inaugurated a special committee on campaign against social vices in the tertiary institutions.
During the inauguration, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu in Abuja on Thursday, urged the committee to devise a new strategy to the approach in the campaign against social vices as well as collaborating with both local and foreign partners for support.
The Minister said government would not relent in its efforts in striving to reposition the education sector in Nigeria, saying that government’s plans and efforts would be a mirage if the menace of social vices in our tertiary institutions was not curtailed.
“This special committee is coming at no better time than now in this era of abuse of social media and multiplicity of information.
“The negative influence of the contents of some of these information as well as peer pressure on our students have had exponential consequences which are injurious to our societal values and national peace.
“It is stating the obvious that the tertiary institutions exist within the larger society. In recent times, there has been an increase in the cases of indiscipline in our institutions and we are all concerned on how to confront the ugly phenomenon,” he said.
Sununu listed the terms of reference of the committee to include: Combat social vices among Nigerian students through comprehensive and collaborative approach.
Others are to raise awareness, promote positive values and provide support to students and fostering a generation of ethical, responsible and successful young Nigerians.
Also, the Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon acknowledged the growing presence of social vices.
Asefon said that social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, sexual harassment, and academic dishonesty threatened the well- being and academic success of our students, hence the need to tackle it headlong.
He commended president Tinubu’s commitment in safeguarding the future of Nigerian students.
“You will collaborate with tertiary institutions to strengthen security measures and create an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
“To the students of Nigeria: This committee is here for you. We believe in your potential and the Government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is here to empower you to make positive choices,” he said.
Also, the Chairman of the committee, Maj-Gen. Suleinam Kazaure (rtd.) pledged the commitment of the committee to address the emerging social vices in the educational institutions.
Kazaure said that if the menace was not tackled, the country would continue to experience a morally decadent and decline of ethics and values in our citadel of learning and by extension in our nation.
He said the committee would propose for the immediate installation of CCTV Cameras in and around all secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the country.
Other members of the committee are Amb. Jerry Ugokwe, former Nigeria Ambassador to Austria, Comrade Maxwell Okoye, Dr. Abubakar Rimi Jnr, Amb. Ramat Tijani, former FCT Minister, Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, Olufemi Lawson, from the Civil Society Group, among others.
