As the Christmas and New Year festivities draw near, towns and villages across the country are gradually coming alive with excitement, music, travel, and social gatherings. Indeed, the festive season is traditionally a time of joy, reunion, and merrymaking. However, for the youth—particularly students in senior high schools—this period also comes with hidden dangers that must not be ignored.
Young people remain one of the most valuable assets of the nation. Their lives are precious, their minds delicate, and their choices during this season could shape their future permanently. While celebration is not wrong, recklessness during the festivities has, over the years, led to avoidable tragedies that cut short promising lives and shatter families.
One growing concern that demands urgent attention is the increasing abuse of hard substances among the youth. The alarming rate at which young people are turning to drugs—often under the guise of having “fun” during Christmas—should worry parents, guardians, educators, and society at large. Substance abuse not only damages health; it destroys discipline, ambition, and moral judgment. A nation whose youth are enslaved by drugs is planting the seeds of its own destruction. The youth must constantly remind themselves that they are the future leaders of this country, and leadership cannot be built on intoxicated minds.
Equally troubling is the spike in road accidents that usually accompanies festive seasons. In recent times, it has become common to see young people riding motorbikes without lights, without proper brakes, and without helmets. The reckless manner in which some of these bikes are ridden through busy towns and highways is deeply worrying. Speeding, alcohol consumption, and disregard for road safety rules have claimed many young lives during periods meant for celebration. No Christmas enjoyment is worth a life lost or a future crippled.
Security agencies are usually placed on high alert during the festive season, and this is commendable. However, the current trends call for even greater vigilance, especially during the peak days of Christmas and New Year. Increased patrols, road checks, and community engagement can go a long way in preventing accidents and criminal activities that often involve the youth.
Another issue that resurfaces during the holidays is the temptation for some young people to venture into illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the hope of making quick money. The youth must be warned that the road to sustainable income and lasting success is not found in illegal mining but in education and skills development. The dangers associated with galamsey—collapsed pits, environmental destruction, health hazards, and clashes with law enforcement—are countless. Education remains the safest and most reliable investment for a secure future.
As students enjoy their break from academic work, they are encouraged to celebrate responsibly, protect their lives, and make choices that will allow them to return to school safely to continue pursuing their dreams. The true essence of Christmas is peace, love, and the preservation of life—not regret and sorrow.
We therefore call on parents, guardians, religious leaders, community heads, and security agencies to collectively guide and protect the youth during this festive season. To the young people themselves, remember that your life is worth more than any temporary excitement.
As the celebrations draw closer, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas in advance and a peaceful, safe, and meaningful festive season.
The Trial News
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