ERA/FoEN flays tobacco smoking in Big Brother Naija show

Tasks youths on education, leadership roles

A rights group, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has flayed tobacco smoking in the ongoing Big Brother Naija show.The group’s Deputy Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, raised the alarm yesterday at a media chat in Abuja.

According to him, it is disgusting that tobacco consumption is being widely publicised in the programme that is watched by many, including children.He cited the smoking scenes that were glamorised in the show, on February 13, with the theme: ‘Double Wahala.’Oluwafemi accused the programme’s promoters of providing an enabling environment for the tobacco industry to lure millions of youths into smoking.He urged the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to sanction Multichoice, owners of DSTV and GoTV for promoting immoral acts.

The act also included a ban of the sale of cigarettes in single sticks.The rights group urged the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the security agencies to begin a clamp down on infractions of the NTC Act. In Benin City, ERA/FoEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi-Ojo, tasked the youths on education and leadership positions toward national development.

According to him, the role of the youths in nation building is pivotal to growth, and urged them to eschew social vices for a better future.He spoke at a youth empowerment programme organised by the group in Benin City.

The theme of the programme was: “Environmental education and renewable energy workshop.”According to him, leadership doesn’t mean being involved in partisan politics, but being among the best in their contributions to societal growth and development.Also delivering a lecture on the topic, “The role of the youth in nation building,” the President and Founder, Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change, Austine Osakwe, said the country’s future lies in the hands of the youths.