The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has reaffirmed the Presidency’s support for the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, describing its mandate as critical to Nigeria’s future.
Gbajabiamila gave the assurance, Thursday, during a meeting with members of the committee led by its chairman, Professor Jerry Ugokwe, at the State House, Abuja.
He expressed confidence in the integrity and capacity of the committee, noting that its designation as a “special committee” underscores the importance of its assignment, which centres on the wellbeing and moral development of young Nigerians.
The Chief of Staff warned that rising social vices among youths constitute a growing national concern, stressing that although young people are often described as the future generation. He advocated that deliberate and coordinated actions are required to secure that future.
According to him, many of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms are forward-looking and targeted at the younger generation. He cautioned that failure to properly guide and support youths could undermine the long-term gains of those reforms.
Gbajabiamila emphasized that tackling the menace requires a whole-of-society approach involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, communities and relevant institutions. He noted that the challenge has assumed near-pandemic proportions globally.
Chairman of the Committee, Professor Jerry Ugokwe, expressed appreciation for the audience and the vision behind the committee’s establishment.
He said the initiative reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to confronting social vices among Nigerian students through a structured presidential intervention. He described youth moral wellbeing as a national priority requiring sustained institutional attention.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, who led members of the committee to the State House, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, citing a tragic case of a university student whose death was linked to drug intoxication.
He said such incidents underscore the need for a coordinated national response to rising social vices among young people.
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