By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Emmanuel Ivorgba Centre, has organised a two-day training in promoting national ethics and value reorientation, for youths in Plateau State.
The Centre said that the initiative was aimed at instilling Nigeria’s good values in young citizens.
President of the Centre, Dr Emmanuel Ivorgba, stated this at the opening of the event, in Jos the State Capital.
Ivorgba who disclosed that the event was organised in partnership with the Centre for Faith and Community Development, decried the rising decay in ethical values among Nigerians.
Adding that the training would enable participants to become ambassadors of national identity.
“We are worried about the decaying values and ethics in our country; we are worried about the future of our dear country.
“We believe that change in modern times should begin with the youth. They should be at the centre of the conversation; this is why we organised this event to begin the conversation for a better Nigeria.
According to him, “We want to see a nation with high morals, respect for one another, truthfulness, loyalty, and patriotism.
“We do not have another country, so we need to do everything to make it better. Agreed, we are not yet there, but the country is not as bad as Nigerians see it”, he maintained.
While calling on young Nigerians to defend and project the country in a positive light, he noted that it was the citizenry that would make their nation beautiful and great.
He particularly called on the youth to desist from love for material things and the “make it quick” syndrome.
“This training will run for sometime; so, after these two days, we will bring another set of young people for the same exercise. Our desire is to have young ambassadors who will spread the message of ethics and values reorientation in their various communities.’’
Presenting a Paper titled; Digital Citizenship and Ethical Behaviour, Dr Prince Charles Dickson said, “Its quite interesting to have such a conversation with young people, x-raying the issues on renewing national values and ethical behaviour, with emphasis on the digital space.
“Its 2025, young people form a sizeable population in all kinds of social media spaces; and it’s a dangerous terrain; one that if you see what’s happening there, it really portray the ethical challenges we have as a country.
“Especially the violence online, and how it affects lives offline.
“So, the conversation today is to let these young people know that, there are digital footprints there to be seen.
“The mistake the young persons make or don’t make, would be digital footprints forever.
“And the idea is for them to remember that, before they post anything on social media, they should think positively, about the effect of things they put in social spaces, and how they affect other persons.
“Just that process of thinking before posting, maybe saving somebody’s life”, Dickson stressed.
Speaking further, Jacob Choji Pwakim, an Executive Director with the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), said, “Today, majority of our young people are thinking about survival, leaving the country and making money at all cost.
“When the young people get to see their peers who have not gone to school and are not into any legitimate business, and has made money through internet fraud among others; some begin to ponder; is being a good citizen a bad or good thing!
“Sometimes they even query their sanity as human beings”, he explained.
Pwakim spoke on; The Role of Youth in Shaping National Ethics and Values in Nigeria, maintained that, “Having this kind of conversation with young persons who are expected to drive the process for us as a nation is very important”.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Yohanna Filibus, a Deputy Director with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), commended the organisers of the training, describing the move as a right step in the right direction.
Filibus explained that the exercise would inspire the participants and other young people to inculcate values that would engender national identity.
He maintained that, Nigeria as a country has made significant progress in the recent past, so the onus lies on its citizenry to project its positive image.
