A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Chukwuemeka Anyaoku, has called on Nigerian youths to strive to achieve integrity and good character, stressing that such attributes were needed to build a healthy nation.
He offered this advice when he spoke at the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation’s 27 Anniversary and Role Model Awards held in Lagos yesterday.
Africa Today News, New York understands that Hallmarks of Labour Foundation is a no-profit organization which recognizes Nigerians who are considered to be role models.
Speaking on the occasion, Anyoku said: “This Foundation, founded 27 years ago, and driven by the indefatigable Executive Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, has without any doubt, become one of Nigeria’s most respected not-for-profit organizations because of its remarkable work.
“The crux of its activities embraces a unique service to our young generation by identifying and honouring citizens who, by their character and careers, are considered to be the role models for our young people.
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“The significance of recognizing and honouring individuals whose character and achievements are worth emulating by the young people cannot be overstated.
“In my own days, which is quite some time ago, because I am now 91, I thought that success both in academic work and in every other work came only from hard work, that integrity and character was the most important possession of any human being, as was so simply put by the American evangelist, William Graham, who said that when wealth is lost, nothing is lost.
“When health is lost, something is lost. But when character is lost, everything is lost.”
A fortnight ago, Anyaoku had come out to assert that Nigeria’s present constitution would not adequately address the nation’s economic predicaments and other myriad challenges bedeviling the country.
Anyaoku who spoke to newsmen on Saturday in his country home, Obosi village of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State said the current challenges being faced in the nation like poverty, insecurity, and dilapidated infrastructure, among others, were serious challenges bedevilling the country.