Crime

Checking High Rate of Crime Among Youths

By Web News 1064

The crime rate in the country remains worrisome, moreover, the concern is heightened by the growing involvement of youths and teenagers.

Early this month, two teens in Bayelsa State were caught while allegedly attempting to use a 14-year-old girl for money rituals.

This no doubt is an indication of the worsening fall in moral values in the society, which has seriously eroded and the youths are now infecting the teens with untoward behaviour. 

To underscore the enormity of the situation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC last year pointed out that seventy per cent of Nigerian youths could end up being ex-convicts in the nearest future. 

Two residents of Ibadan attributed the growing involvement of youths and teenagers in evil acts to the failure of the family unit and misplaced values.

Three youths also bared their minds on the spread of crime among their peers and teenagers.

According to them, increased occurrences of crime among teens is caused by lack of education, broken homes and poor upbringing. 

A sociologist, Mr Sunday Akindimi, highlighted why the situation might persist if concrete steps were not taken to address it.

“Poverty, low self-esteem and neglect are also causes of teens involving themselves in crime.” 

Mr Akindimi added that it was essential that society go back to the basics to stem the tide of this dangerous and evil trend.

Emmanuel Onatunde

Culture

Shun Bad Company: Sociologist Urges Youths

By Web News 1514

Often times, Peer Influence has harmful effects on youths, as the saying, bad company corrupts good manners.

In this report , Ovie Okome looks at the positive angle to peer influence.

It is natural for parents to be concerned about the friends their children keep, to avoid consequences attached to such influence.  

But keeping right company equally has its potential to help youths, as some of them shared how peer influence had had positive impact on them.

In a chat, some parents indicated that, they see peer influence as a reality every parent would have accepted, pointing out that positive peer influence is helpful to young people.

A sociologist, Mrs.Temitope Abosede who descried peer influence was an inalienable social factor, said it was imperative for teenagers to identify the type of company they need to keep.

Mrs Abosede added that teenagers should understand that good company was the only option to follow, in other to have better future.

Ovie Okome .