The International President of The Pleasant Gathering, Professor Joy Ogbonnaya, has reiterated the urgent need for collective intervention in rebuilding the moral foundation of Nigerian youths.
She made the call at the 12th Anniversary of The Pleasant Gathering Reading Club and 2025 Mega Students Convention held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, with the theme “Nigerian Students as Agents of National Transformation.”
Speaking on the inspiration behind the group’s mission, Professor Ogbonnaya explained that the programme was initiated in 2013 after observing a worrying decline in moral values, reading culture and academic concentration among young people across secondary schools.
According to her, “We noticed that the level of moral decadence was high and still rising. Students were losing concentration, commitment to study was diminishing, and something needed to be done. That was what inspired us to take our campaign of empowering and equipping the next generation directly into secondary schools.”
She disclosed that for over 13 years, The Pleasant Gathering has been at the forefront of providing moral guidance, revitalising reading habits, and helping students regain focus.
Professor Ogbonnaya described the organisation as an interventionist platform committed to redirecting young people towards positive values and responsible citizenship.
Highlighting three key principles she believes can help young people fulfil their potential—focus, choosing the right friends, and maintaining decency—she stressed that these values form the foundation of every great and successful individual.
“When you study the lives of great men and women, you see that success comes with discipline and a price,” she said.
“If we can reach one youth, we have reached an entire nation. Equipping one youth means equipping the future of our society.”
Professor Ogbonnaya expressed deep concern about the rising involvement of young people in crime, noting that prisons and crime statistics show a worrying trend among the youth population.
She called for collaboration among civil society organisations, churches, schools, communities, and governments to rescue the destinies of young Nigerians.
She also commended the Enugu State Government for providing the venue for the anniversary event at no cost, describing it as proof of the state’s commitment to youth development and moral education.
Professor Ogbonnaya reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation, stressing that investing in students is a direct investment in the future stability and progress of society.
“If we don’t get them now, things may become dangerous,” she warned. “But if we guide them, we secure not just their future, but the future of our nation.”
The convention hosted more that 11,000 students drawn from public, private, and mission schools across Enugu metropolis and neighbouring communities.
The engagement featured moral education sessions, quiz and debate, cultural display, drama as well as value-based mentorship designed to prepare students as transformative leaders.
Highpoint was the presentation of certificates to participating schools.
Source EnuguDaily
