Get-rich-Syndrome Causing Lack of Interest in Education Among Youths–Don

 Prof. Lukman Azeez,  Dean,  Faculty of Communications and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, has traced the lack of passionate interest  in education among the youth to the get-rich-quick syndrome prevalent among them.

Azeez, who made the assertion while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Ilorin noted that the youth now want big money to ride the latest cars and build villas.

“So, they want quick money. The cause of this syndrome or what I can call malaise, is the change in our value system.

“Sociologists believe that at every epoch of our life, society prioritizes certain values that we consider as worthy.

“In Nigeria today, money is considered as the main thing, the most important element of life, without which you are nothing,” he said.

The don lamented that values of integrity, chastity, honesty and dignity are no longer taken seriously, stating that money had erroneously become the benchmark for judging success.

He said: “Once you have money, you are successful and you have got everything. It does not matter how you got the money. So, society and all of us worship money”.

“The society idolises money and material wealth, and that is why the government can be good models for the youths; however, they too are inculcated into the values of worshipping money,” he said.

According to Azeez, who teaches in the Department of Mass Communications, government has disappointed the youths for failing to provide them gainful employment.

He, however, noted that the youth lack initiative and contentment to engage themselves meaningfully to make a simple living.

Azeez admonished the youth to shun all forms of shortcuts to success.

According to him, the only solution is to re-orientate the youth, saying that the churches and mosques have great roles to play here. He also advised government to provide employment opportunities  while advising the youths to embrace integrity in order to excel in their chosen careers.