The Federal Government has inaugurated a special committee charged with the responsibility of combating social vices among Nigerian students in both tertiary institutions and secondary schools across the country.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, inaugurated the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja.
The committee headed by Maj-Gen. Suleiman Kazure (Rtd), former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Nigerian Army University (BIU), as its chairman, was also mandated to through a comprehensive and collaborative approach, raise awareness, promote positive values and provide support to students.
The committee would also foster a generation of ethical, responsible and successful young Nigerians.
The minister commended the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, for rising to the challenge by constituting the committee to tackle the menace of drug abuse, inappropriate dressing, rape, prostitution, cybercrime, cultism-related activities, sexual harassment, and academic dishonesty, and other social vices on Nigerian campuses.
“You will agree with me that 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 this information as well as peer pressure on our students have had exponential consequences which are injurious to our societal values and national peace.
“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. The government will not relent in its efforts in striving to reposition the education sector in Nigeria.
“However, the government’s plans and efforts will be a mirage if the menace of social vices in our tertiary institutions is not curtailed,” he stated.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, said the social vices among students across the country today, cast a shadow over the vibrant environment of tertiary institutions and hinder the development of youth who are future leaders.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was deeply committed to safeguarding the future of Nigerian students, urging members of the committee to develop and implement comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate students about the dangers of social vices and promote positive values.
He also urged them to collaborate with tertiary institutions to strengthen security measures and create an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
Chairman of the committee, Maj-Gen. Suleiman Kazure (Rtd), in his acceptance speech, said the committee would propose a mandatory drug test for undergraduate Students in all the nation’s educational institutions across the country.
He also called for the immediate installation of CCTV cameras in and around all secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
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