From Danjuma Labiru Bolari Gombe
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Professor Umar Pate, has expressed deep concern over how Nigerian youths are wasting their talents and time engaging in mining, in the hopes of getting rich quickly.
Prof. Pate made this remark yesterday in Gombe during an interview with journalists at the 8th International Conference of the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON). He lamented that many youths are drawn to mining with unrealistic expectations of quick wealth, which ultimately leads to negative consequences.
“Once a person’s mindset is fixated on the belief that wealth comes easy and cheap, they become idle and dependent on that illusion,” he stated.
“When they fail to achieve such financial success, they become frustrated, and this frustration can sometimes lead to dangerous behaviours.”
Pate further explained that young people who come into significant amounts of money early in life often fall into destructive habits such as gambling, drug addiction, and other harmful behaviours, which collectively undermine societal progress.
He urged parents, whom he referred to as the first line of responsibility, to play a greater role in guiding their children.
He also called on the education system to take a more active interest in addressing these issues. Above all, he stressed that the government must develop policies to regulate the relationship between youths and the allure of quick money.
Addressing professional counsellors, Prof. Pate emphasized the importance of understanding Nigeria’s political and economic structures.
He urged counsellors to incorporate the reality of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic and economic challenges into their counselling efforts to help foster a collective effort toward national progress.
In her remarks, Professor Ogundayo Ochogi, the National President of APROCON, highlighted the need for reorienting young people, particularly students.
She stressed the importance of early intervention, noting that counselling plays a critical role in stabilizing individuals during difficult times, especially in the current political climate.
Dr Habiba Isa, the Gombe State Chapter Chairperson, added that many Nigerians need counselling, especially given the economic hardships the country is currently facing.
She emphasized that counselling helps individuals manage difficult situations and provides them with stability.
As the host of the 8th International Conference, Dr. Habiba noted that participants from across the country, as well as from outside Nigeria, attended the event.
She explained that the conference provided an opportunity for counsellors to share knowledge and address the pressing issues facing the profession.
She also pointed out that when visiting rehabilitation centres or correctional facilities, the majority of those housed there are youths who have fallen victim to drug abuse, sexual harassment, and theft. Although the situation is unfortunate, she reassured me that counsellors are working hard to reduce these problems to the barest minimum.
