The federal government has been urged to take a second look at issues concerning antisocial behavior, especially among youths in the society.
The call was made by the convener of Youth Rights Agenda (YRA), Miss Basirat Olamide Dada.
The pressure group that promotes issues affecting the youth in the country noted that recent developments within the polity has made it expedient for the government to take a closer look at issues around antisocial behavior, given how it has negatively impacted youths.
Dada, an activist who spoke virtually from Dublin at a youth seminar with the theme: “Taking another look at youth and government approach to antisocial behavior” organized by Youth For Attitudinal Change (YFAC) held in Lagos, lamented that lot of youth have gone into depression because of the attitude of government and the society to antisocial behavior.
She said, “One cannot but be saddened with the way the government and the society treats what they consider anti-social behavior in Nigeria, especially homosexuality.
“While I am not out to promote or castigate homosexuals, I believe the issue is a matter of human rights, as the practitioners are human beings.
“If you don’t want people to toe a particular pattern of life, the best approach is to adopt persuasion instead of threatening those involved.
“Personally, I think the authorities, families, and the society at large should take a second look at the issue because we are talking about an issue concerning mostly youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Nigerian youths are very talented, they need every protection from the system, instead of being harassed by security agencies, especially the police, over their convictions.”
“There is no place like home, but there has to be justice for all no matter their beliefs, as a situation where the youth have to run away from their place of birth due to threats and harassment is barbaric and unjust,” she said.
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