The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has cautioned youths to shun the temptation of engaging in get-rich-quick activities.
The Director of the agency in Gombe State, Mrs Adaline Patari stated this at a stakeholders’ engagement, as part of the nationwide sensitisation on security, HIV/AIDS and tax reform, on Tuesday in Gombe.
She said the warning became imperative in view of the increasing cases of the menace and the need to promote hard work, self-belief, and the dignity of labour among Nigerians, particularly the youth.
According to Patari, any shortcut to wealth will lead to regret and dire consequences for the individual, hence Nigerians should earn a decent living through hard work.
“Get-rich-quick” syndrome is increasingly affecting our society, the pursuit of wealth through fraudulent or unethical means not only undermines our societal values but also damages the fabric of our nation.
“Let us promote hard work, integrity and the dignity of labour as the true pathways to sustainable success.
“Citizens must reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work and the opportunities provided through government initiatives to make life better for citizens,” she said.
According to her, the government recognises the erosion of our age long values and economic hardship often drives individuals toward unethical practices.
She said the government had adopted measures to address the challenge by implementing youth empowerment programmes, small-scale businesses support and scaling up enforcement, to curtail criminalities associated with get-rich-quick syndrome.
Patari also urged stakeholders to promote security consciousness in their domains and support efforts of the government to address insecurity.
Mr Hassan Saidu, Head of Investigation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe Zonal Office, enjoined the stakeholders to be cautious with the way they handle their national identity documents.
Saidu said that some of the youth who involved in shortcut to wealth engaged in internet fraud and financial crimes.
He said that Nigerians must guard vital personal documents and digital devices like BVN, national identity card, phones, amongst others.
The EFCC official also cautioned the youths against venturing into financial crimes, warned that the commission would not spare perpetrators.
Also, Gombe State Controller of Corrections, Mr Salihu Abdullahi who was represented by Mr Aji Abdulhamid, a Superintendent of Corrections, Gombe State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), urged stakeholders to intensify effort towards sensitising youths to embrace ethical values.
Abdullahi said that most of the 1,250 inmates in the state were youths, and urged stakeholders to engage more with the youths at the grassroots.
He also urged NOA to designate desk offices at NCoS facilities, schools and other areas, to effectively step down the campaign to the youths.
Mr Ali Alola-Alfinti, the Public Relations Officer, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the state, tasked stakeholders at various levels to promote the protection of human rights.
Alola-Alfinti said that the protection of human rights remained key to peace in the society, adding that, “we call on the general public to also respect the rights of others.
“When we respect each others rights, we will have a peaceful community but when you infringe on another’s right and there is a retaliation, there will be a chaotic society,” he said.
