The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Ibraheem Abdul, has called for the use of education and early intervention, rather than arrests alone, to tackle vices among youths.
Abdul warned that unchecked involvement in criminal activities could destroy the future of many young people and deprive the country of future leaders, professionals and innovators.
He spoke when a delegation from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, led by Dr Oladimeji Moses, visited the institution to explore a strategic partnership on security and campaigns against youth vices.
The rector said protecting young people from negative influences required preventive education and early intervention, stressing that tertiary institutions had a responsibility to promote responsible citizenship.
Abdul commended the Trust Fund’s preventive approach, particularly its focus on sensitising youths against crime and other vices, and pledged YABATECH’s support for the initiative.
He said protecting young people was a collective responsibility involving educational institutions, government agencies, security organisations, parents, alumni associations and other stakeholders.
Moses, a YABATECH alumnus, said the organisation selected the institution for the campaign because of its large youth population.
He added that the organisation had sensitised more than 1,000 YABATECH students against crime, negative peer influence and related dangers.
