By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Vice Chancellor, of Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Prof. Johnson Alewo Akubo, has called on youths in the country to embrace God, shun avarice and build on the solid rock of honesty and integrity.
The Vice Chancellor gave the advice when the leadership of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) conferred on him, the Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto Platinum Leadership Award in Lokoja.
Prof. Akubo who was also given a Medal of Honour as the “Garkuwan Matassan Arewa/Icon & Cynosure of Educational Transformation” said integrity remained the key to success in life.
“We have youths that are prevalent everywhere involved in crime and criminality and all kinds of vices. I would like them to understand that scripturally speaking, there are two types of foundations.
“There is one that is on the sand and the one on the rock. Any wealth that is not built around integrity is standing on a quicksand. Kidnapping and robbery, 419, cultism, cyber crimes – Yahoo and then, there’s one they call Yahoo Plus now.
“All these are built on the quicksand and no matter how tall a building is, even if it is a skyscraper, unless it is founded on the Rock, it is just a disaster waiting to happen.
“Therefore, our fellow youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow, should keep their integrity intact and be prepared to take the Nigerian nation to an enviable height.
On the Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto Platinum Leadership Award presented to him earlier, the VC thanked the council for counting him worthy for the prestigious award and pledged not to let the Nigerian youths down.
Akubo who expressed surprise at his nomination for the award said the honour would not only encourage him to do more as a leader but to stand for honesty, sincerity and hard work.
The professor of Sociology said, “I dedicate the award to the entire university and I want to thank God for His servant, Archbishop Sam Amaga.
“God has used Archbishop Sam Amaga to give us the platform to be able to exercise the grace of God in our lives in the establishment of this university 16 years ago. If it was not for him, I wouldn’t have been here.
Presenting the award earlier, the NYCN President, Dr Isah Abubakar, explained that Prof. Akubo’s choice was in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a Nigerian youth in the position of leadership.
The president, who was represented his Vice, Mr Victor Ododo said, “You are, indeed, the youngest Vice Chancellor in Nigeria today and your life is already a blessing and role model for others to emmulate
“Sir, your lofty induction into Northern Youth Council Hall of fame today, is in recognition of your immense contributions towards purposeful leadership and youth empowerment”, he said.
Abubakar urged the VC to remain focused and committed to the wonderful works he was doing at Salem University, which he said, had become a known citadel of learning in Nigeria. (Ends)