By Hussaina Yakubu
Kaduna – The National Orientation Agency (NOA), says Nigerians must return to the old ways of good neighbourliness and respect for constituted authority to engender peace and stability in the society.
Zubairu Galadima, Coordinator of NOA in Kaduna State, made the call at a peace advocacy campaign held at Ungwan Yelwa, Chukun Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that Nigerians should jettison attitudes and behaviours that promote disharmony and division among them.
According to him, Nigerians have allowed modernity to erode age-tested culture of being each others’ keepers and allowed the youths to engage in anti social behaviours which compromised the nation’s collective security.
He noted that in the past, it was the responsibility of all members of the community to ensure discipline, encourage hard work and respect, and impose punishment on habitual deviants.
Galadima blamed parents for failing to discharge their responsibilities to their family including provision of food, medication, education and other basic necessities expected of a responsible parent.
The NOA coordinator regretted that most youth now prefer to go into crime including kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and insurgency, instead of pursuing legitimate means of earning a living.
“We must as parents, community and religious leaders guide the youth to learn that honesty and hard work pays; we must encourage them to pursue legitimate means of livelihood.
“It is also our responsibility to ensure that those who were not ready to abandon crime and criminality are handed over to relevant authorities.
“When we do that, we will be supporting the government and helping it to spend less on fighting crime and such funds would be used to enhance the livelihood of the people.’’
The NOA coordinator urged the people to shun violence, hate speech and all actions that would compromise peace and stability of their communities.
He said that community and religious leaders must lead by example, to engender confidence among their subjects and followers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of a state-wide peace advocacy initiated by NOA, in which it planned to visit 60 communities across the state.
The District Head, Mr Auta Zarumi commended NOA for the peace advocacy, saying it would encourage the people and ensure mutual respect and harmony among all segments of the community.
He pledged total support to the campaign and urged people in the area to imbibe the spirit of peaceful coexistence, community service and support to the youths. (NAN)