The spate of suicide among Nigerian youths in recent times has become pathetic and worrisome.
It is such that governments, corporate institutions, non-governmental organisations, individuals and many others have taken a decisive action to curb the menace and to also redirect the minds of the younger generation towards channeling their youthfulness to meaningful ventures, especially as it concerns the exploration and exploitation of their innate potentials.
It is also for them to contribute their token to the growth and development of humanity in general rather than resort to taking their own lives over frustrations and vicissitudes of life.
In order to find a lasting solution to suicides as well as give hope to the youths, a charitable organization known as JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation took the bull by the horn to dissuade youths from suicidal thoughts and actions that could warrant them to take their own lives.
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The organisation renowned for its humanitarian services across the country, organised a symposium for youths in Anambra State where they were made to understand that at the end of every dark tunnel, there is a silver lining.
The program which was tagged the New Conversation and done in collaboration with the Anambra State Chapter of Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria afforded the platform for seasoned resource persons to educate youths on how to rediscover themselves and depend less on the government to realize their dreams and aspirations.
It was gathered that the theme of the symposium which was “Redeeming Our Youths To Rediscover Their Roots: A Capacity Building Interactive cum Initiative Forum” was a timely intervention to the menace of suicidal acts as it sought to address erratic thoughts and actions among youths which could plunge them into committing suicide.
Founder of JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation and convener of the youth symposium, Chief JohnBosco Onunkwo, an accomplished Anambra-born oil and gas magnate based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well as a philanthropist of no mean repute, took time to explain to the youths that there was absolutely no reason why a youth should commit suicide when he or she could persevere to become a force to reckon with as well as a reference point in history.
Onunkwo who spoke so passionately to the youngsters who listened with avid attentiveness at Omar Event Centre Awka, the Anambra State Capital, told the story of how he rose from grass to glory as a youth who had to fend for himself most of the time. He emphasised that no guts, no glory; that there was a need for youths to rediscover themselves and diversify into other spheres where they have a comparative advantage.
According to him, “We have to tell the people that government cannot do everything. Time has come when the people should call themselves to a meeting and begin to think about what they can do within themselves and be able to stand. I believe in capacity building and I believe in the diversification agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari where he said that people should not only think of one source but should think about diversification. Diversification is a survival strategy, he said.
He noted that youths should tap into their talents to get greener pastures. Chief Onunkwo, equally stated that people perish for lack of knowledge and that the seminar has produced a positive response which will go a long way to reduce suicide and other social vices.
He pointed out that the symposium exposed youths to the dangers of suicide and why the idea of suicide should not be conceived in the first instance. According to him, the whole essence of the interactive forum was for people to have hope in themselves as well as believe in themselves.
He, however, revealed that subsequent editions of the New Conversation series would be held before long, stressing that he would use the platform of the interactions with the youths to further encourage them to be innovative, inventive and resourceful.
It will also help them to be able to attain economic independence while his foundation would provide the needed backing to those who discovered as well as explored other areas of comparative advantage to stand out among the crowd.
