By Hou Akot Hou
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Minister of Education, Akoon Diing Akoon has attributed loitering to laziness, noting that many young people are neglecting the care of their elderly relatives.
On Tuesday, the minister urged the youth to adopt a mindset of self-employment and to stop viewing the government as the sole provider of jobs.
Diing stated that young people have increasingly left their homes, abandoning elderly family members who are then forced to beg, while the able-bodied youth migrate to cities or towns in pursuit of white-collar jobs that often do not materialize.
“We have been witnessing young people leaving their elderly relatives behind in their villages and going to towns. This culture must end. Try to work so that you can help your people who are destitute,” he cautioned.
“I am saying this after encountering numerous instances of young people going to towns and cities like Juba and remaining idle. Please be productive,” he implored.
In a separate matter, Diing commended the significant role played by educators, highlighting the recently announced Primary Eight (P.8) examination results, which showed that girls outperformed boys this year compared to previous years.
Diing was speaking at the 40-day memorial service for Sultan Mel Kuol Akol, the father of Vice President Dr. Bol Mel, held in Rialdit, Madhol Payam. The event was attended by state officials and other dignitaries who traveled from Juba to participate.
On the same occasion, Governor Simon Ober Mawut encouraged the people of the state to remain united and to serve as a beacon of hope for other states affected by conflict. He urged elders and parents to continue instilling messages of peace within the state.