The Director of News (Abuja) at Arise News, Sumner Shagari Sambo, and the Founder of the Shelimitless Mentoring and Empowerment Foundation, Blessing Shemiye Narai, have urged urgent government and private sector intervention to curb drug abuse, prostitution, and school dropout among youths in Nigeria’s rural communities.
The call came during the foundation’s flagship seminar, “The Power of Choice,” held in the Karu rural community of the Federal Capital Territory. The event brought together dozens of young people for a day of mentorship, empowerment, and inspiration, featuring accomplished speakers from journalism, law, entrepreneurship, tourism, fashion, and disability advocacy.
Addressing participants, Sambo, who is also Chairman of the Karu Gbagyl Development Association, warned that Nigeria risks losing an entire generation to social vices if immediate action is not taken.
He lamented that many parents in rural communities remain ill-equipped to value education, fuelling a cycle of poverty and vulnerability among young people.
Sambo said, “We must not lose our younger generation the way some of their parents missed out on education and opportunities. If we fail to act now, teenage pregnancies, drug abuse, and idleness will continue to produce young people who, instead of being assets to their communities, become threats to society.”
He called on government agencies, private organisations, and community leaders to invest in mentorship, education, and skill acquisition to keep teenagers meaningfully engaged.
“Let’s support initiatives like Shelimitless with resources and partnerships. It is not enough to ask children to stay in school; we must also provide them with alternatives such as vocational training, internships, and mentorship programmes that allow them to dream beyond their immediate environment,” Sambo urged.
For Narai, who founded Shelimitless out of personal experiences of loss and hardship, the seminar was both personal and purposeful.
Growing up in Karu, Narai said she witnessed the devastating effects of teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and limited opportunities.
She said, “Despite losing my father at a young age, I chose to chart a different path,” describing her decision as “the power of choice.”
She added, “I want every young person to believe that their past does not define their future. We may not be able to solve all of Nigeria’s problems, but we can solve some, starting with our communities. Shelimitless is my contribution to inspire, mentor, and equip young girls, especially those who feel limited by their background, to see a different life ahead.”
Narai also appealed to government and corporate institutions to invest in education, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives, warning that neglecting rural communities only fuels broader social problems.
“Recently, primary schools in the FCT were on strike for months. We all know the dangers of children, especially girls, being out of school. They fall into vices that not only destroy their lives but also affect society at large. When you empower a girl, you empower a family, a community, and ultimately, a nation,” she said.
The seminar featured other notable speakers who reinforced messages of resilience and purpose. HRM Mrs. Patricia Joseph Narai, a retired Director of Domestic and Eco Tourism Services, encouraged youths to leverage opportunities despite challenges. Disability advocate Eva Chukwunelo, founder of Kry8impact Africa, urged participants to “show up in spaces with value,” while lawyer Joy Awyetu Ibrahim and fashion entrepreneur Grace Shekwoyemilo Bala shared personal stories of overcoming adversity.
Participants described the event as transformative. Claire Stephen, a student, said she learned to “dream beyond limitations,” while Melody Anthony noted that the seminar reinforced her belief that “circumstances do not define destiny.”
Sambo and Narai emphasised that communities alone cannot address youth social vices. A collaborative approach involving policymakers, corporate bodies, religious institutions, and local organisations is crucial.
Sambo concluded, “If we do not act now, we will be forced to contend with these children tomorrow when they grow into adults without direction, without skills, and without hope. The time to intervene is now.”
Narai added, “Every young person deserves the chance to make a better choice. What we do for them today will determine the future of Nigeria.”
Sunday Aborisade
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