Our elders say “ihe ójo gbaa afo, obúru omenaala”.

The level of moral breakdown in our communities is something every Nwa afo ARO should be concerned about. The rate of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and other social vices is so alarming and one might have to ask “Okenye oga ano n’ulo ewu amuo na obo?”

Should we fold our arms and watch our youths, the future of this great kingdom, the ones who are supposed to carry our names with pride, tarnish the image our fathers took so long to build? Should we allow them waste their lives on these vices that are now seen as norms?

Asi na “ijiri aka nri tié nwatakiri ihe, I jiri aka ekpe kpohachite ya”. In as much as these are not welcomed development and it is an eye sore, we can’t let them wallow in these vices.

Truly, ukpara na-ere oku osi na o na añu mmanu. This saying is so true since our youths do not see anything wrong with their behavior. They see it as “having fun” and “living the best out of life” but “ihe okenye no na-ala hu, nwatakiri rigoro elu osisi ogaghi ahu ya”.

This isn’t the time to apportion blames. It isn’t a time to reminisce on what should have been done but wasn’t done, rather this is a clarion call.

A clarion call to our parents, non-governmental organizations in Arochukwu and influential personalities both home and in Diaspora to collectively join hands in tackling this issue.

Parents have a huge role to play in the lives of their children since they’re the first agent of socialization. Parents should inculcate in their children acceptable values and morals. Efforts should be made to protect our children especially the girl-child. They should be taught from a tender age the art of self respect and control.

Sex education should be taught more often in schools. Sending children into the world without proper knowledge of their body and sex makes them vulnerable and prone to abuse. Sexual enlightenment should be carried out throughout the 19 villages that makes up Arochukwu. Things shouldn’t be left to chance. Teenagers should be taught on the dangers of engaging in unprotected sex.

Drug abuse is another fire that is strongly ravaging the lives of our young ones. Young men these days take drugs much more than they take food. Smoking is no longer done indoors, in fact, it is another means of showing that you have arrived.

The consequences of drug abuse can never be over emphasized. Robbery, rape and other vices are mostly purported on the influence of drugs. Drug addiction has eaten deep into our youths and it is saddening. However, there has been a couple of drug abuse awareness by FAYA, YES Foundation and other volunteer groups, but this is a fight that we need to collectively fight continuously.

In closing, moral values has been neglected; crimes and social vices embraced. This is a fight and we cannot win without YOU. Therefore, we  call on you to contribute your quota in helping us preserve our future and that of our young ones. 

Ome nma mere onwe ya.

Ka e nwepu aka enwe n’ofe tupu o ghoo aka mmadu

Remain blessed.

God bless Arochukwu Kingdom

God bless Nzuko Arochukwu.

 Godwin Chinomso Moryn.

 Law student.