Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Customs Area Comptroller of the Ogun State 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Folorunsho Ojo, has admonished Nigerian students to shun social vices as the security and economic implications of getting involved could be destructive.
Speaking at the just concluded sensitization Seminar themed: ‘Social vices: Implications on security stability in the economy’, Ojo also said that crime and development are parts of human adaptation to civilization which pose impediments to nations’ peace and safety.
These impediments, according to the Customs boss, have caused pain, suffering and low quality of life to citizens.
He added that affected citizens are often traumatized, internally displaced with daily socioeconomic activities obstructed.
Ojo, who was represented by Mr. Clement Amaweh, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, explained that the obstruction of socioeconomic activities affects income, government revenue, employment and cost of managing crimes, which are a setback to the economy.
He said: “Nigeria is faced with several security challenges, from smuggling to banditry, insurgency and terrorism among others. Most of these challenges are aided by citizens’ involvement in social vices, which also leads to instability in the economy. Social vices are becoming national and global issues. It cut across ethnic nationalities, races and religious groups.
“Social vices are unhealthy and negative behaviours that are against the morality of a society and frowned at by members of the society. Some examples of social vices are examination malpractice, indecent dressing/prostitution, thuggery, cultism, drug abuse, armed robbery and cybercrimes among many others.
“Some effects of social vices on security in the economy are international/cross border crimes, drug trafficking, smuggling, prostitution, low productivity, half-baked/Low quality graduates.
“Other effects are economic sabotage, mental degradation, youth restiveness, general economic instability and unsafe living environment.”
He advised the students to avoid unethical association, negative influence and regular re-orientation of newly admitted students as well as the old students on campuses across the country.
He disclosed that statistics have shown that most criminal activities are always carried out under the influence of substances and enjoined students to always seek counseling and medical treatment whenever the need arises.
“Majority of the criminals will not do the things they do under normal circumstances and the next thing they do is to take drugs and that will lead to more social vices. Some students are already involved in selling and buying drugs, they are part of the supply chain.
“And that is sad, sad in the sense that if you compare a drug abuser to a trafficker, who looks healthier, the trafficker is always healthier because he knows that the day he starts taking that substance, his business will be affected”
