By Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Professor Umar Pate, has raised alarm over the increasing trend of Nigerian youths engaging in mining activities with the hope of attaining quick wealth. According to Pate, this growing obsession is diverting young people from realizing their full potential and could lead to dangerous social consequences.

Speaking at the 8th International Conference of the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON) held in Gombe yesterday, Professor Pate addressed journalists, highlighting that many youths are wasting valuable time and resources in the pursuit of quick money through mining. He emphasized that this misguided mindset often results in disillusionment when financial expectations are not met, leading to frustration and negative behavior.

“When young people fixate on the idea of making easy money, they are more likely to become idle and frustrated when their expectations are not fulfilled. This can drive them to engage in risky behaviors such as gambling, drug addiction, and other harmful activities, which ultimately damage societal progress,” Pate explained.

He further emphasized the role of parents as the first line of guidance for young people, urging them to take greater responsibility in shaping their children’s values. Pate also called on the educational system to develop programs that instill positive morals and life skills in students. Moreover, he highlighted the need for government intervention to manage the relationship between youths and modern technology, particularly their engagement with digital gadgets.

Addressing the conference attendees, Pate encouraged professional counsellors to be more attuned to Nigeria’s political and economic environment and to integrate this understanding into their counselling strategies. He warned that national development could be hindered if systems continue to serve only a select few, rather than benefiting the broader society.

In her remarks, Professor Ogundayo Ochogi, National President of APROCON, reiterated the need for early intervention to reorient Nigerian youths. She emphasized that counselling plays a vital role in stabilizing individuals, especially in the face of adversity.

Dr. Habiba Isa, Chairperson of APROCON’s Gombe State Chapter, also pointed out that many Nigerians are in dire need of counselling services, particularly as the nation grapples with increasing economic challenges. She explained that counsellors are actively working to intervene in various social issues and that the conference attracted participants from across Nigeria and beyond, underscoring its international significance.

Dr. Isa added that during visits to rehabilitation and correctional centers, counsellors observed that about 80% of the individuals in these institutions are youths, primarily dealing with issues such as drug abuse, sexual harassment, and theft. While these statistics are troubling, she assured that counsellors are committed to reducing these problems to the barest minimum through their continuous efforts.

The 8th International Conference of APROCON underscored the critical need for a collective effort in addressing the challenges facing Nigerian youths, with counselling emerging as a crucial tool in promoting personal and societal development.

Nigeria is bracing for another nationwide blackout as the national electricity grid, managed centrally from Osogbo, Osun State, collapsed around 4:30 pm on Thursday, plunging millions of homes and businesses into darkness.

This marks the fourth collapse of the grid in the first three months of the year.

Reports from distribution companies (DisCos) across the country’s 36 states indicate widespread blackouts as their feeders became inactive due to the grid failure.

With the grid’s output dropping from 2,984 megawatts to zero within an hour, all 21 connected plants ceased operations by 5 pm, painting a grim picture of Nigeria’s electricity woes.

As of reporting at 6:00 pm, the Azura Power Plant was the only facility contributing to the grid, albeit with a modest output of 54 megawatts.