Idahosa urges Edo youths to reject social vices, embrace hard work and integrity

Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has urged young people in the state to shun social vices and embrace education, vocational skills, entrepreneurship and moral values as pathways to personal success and sustainable development.

Idahosa gave the charge on Sunday during the 2026 Harvest Thanksgiving of St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City, where he served as the Youth Harvest Chairman. The harvest, themed “Abundance… Favour Without Limit,” brought together church members, government officials and other dignitaries.

Speaking during the thanksgiving service, the deputy governor said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to implementing policies and programmes that will empower young people and equip them to become productive members of society.

“The Government of Edo State under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to creating opportunities that will empower our youths and provide an enabling environment for sustainable growth and prosperity,” he said.

According to him, the vision of the present administration is to raise resilient, morally upright and economically independent young people.

“The vision of the Monday Okpebholo-led administration is to make Edo State youths resilient, morally upright and job creators rather than job seekers,” he added.

Drawing inspiration from the harvest theme, Idahosa said genuine abundance is attained through faith, discipline, hard work, integrity and perseverance.

“True abundance comes to those who prepare themselves through faith, hard work, discipline, integrity and perseverance. As the Scripture teaches, we reap what we sow,” he said.

The deputy governor cautioned youths against engaging in criminal activities such as cultism, kidnapping and other social vices capable of destroying their future.

He encouraged them to cultivate friendships with people of good character and strong moral values.

“Youths should stay away from all social vices such as kidnapping, cultism and anything capable of undermining their God-given potential. Rather, they should associate with people of integrity and the fear of God, as such relationships help position them for success in life,” he said.

Using his personal experience as an example, Idahosa noted that the quality of friends he kept while growing up played a significant role in shaping his life and career.

He further urged young people to remain positive, contribute meaningfully to society and strive to make their parents proud through responsible conduct and productive living.

Earlier, the Parish Priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Osasogie Omogiate, welcomed the deputy governor and his entourage, expressing appreciation for his support for the church and its developmental projects.

The Assistant Parish Priest and homilist, Rev. Fr. Godwin Ibe, in his sermon drawn from Matthew 14:13–20, spoke on the importance of gratitude, compassion and generosity, using the biblical account of Jesus Christ feeding over five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish as a lesson in God’s abundant provision.

At the end of the service, the Parish Priest, alongside members of the Central Planning Committee and the Parish Laity Executive, presented a souvenir to the deputy governor in appreciation of his participation in the harvest celebration.

Among dignitaries who accompanied Idahosa were former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion; the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Godwin Eshieshi; Special Adviser on Revenue and Development, Mr. Kizito Okpebholo; member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Aghedo; Hon. Rasaq Bello-Osagie; and the Chairman-elect of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Osarobo.