Christian leaders have urged graduating students of Latter-Rain High School, Bida, Niger State, to uphold moral values, hard work and discipline as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.

The Bishop of Bida Diocese, Rt. Rev. Jonah Kolo, and Rev. James Adams “Kuayekan” Nupe, gave the advice in separate remarks at a thanksgiving service organised on Sunday in honour of the school’s pioneer SS3 graduating class.

They stressed the need for moral uprightness among young people in the face of growing social vices.

Mr Kolo attributed the increasing rate of social vices to humanity’s fallen nature and negative societal influences.

“We do not need to teach a child to steal, insult or disrespect. Those tendencies are part of man’s fallen nature,” he said.

He urged the graduates to embrace Christ and uphold biblical values as they pursued excellence in life.

According to him, graduation marks the beginning of a greater journey rather than its end.

“They have just begun. They should press forward because they have not yet arrived. They should strive to excel academically, technologically and socially while trusting God to guide them throughout life,” he stated.

Mr Adams urged Christian parents and schools to strengthen the spiritual and moral upbringing of children, saying the moral challenges confronting young people required greater commitment to raising God-fearing youths.

He commended the management and teachers of Latter-Rain High School for providing the graduating students with sound academic and spiritual training.

According to him, the values instilled in the students equipped the pioneer graduates to become responsible citizens and worthy ambassadors wherever they found themselves.

Similarly, another cleric, Mike Baba, called for renewed moral reorientation among young people, lamenting what he described as an increasing obsession with quick wealth at the expense of integrity, patience and hard work.

“We need serious reorientation. The prevalence of drug abuse, prostitution and examination malpractice shows that society must intentionally guide the younger generation towards positive values,” he added.

Mr Baba advised the graduates to remain focused, seek guidance from their parents, teachers and mentors, avoid excessive use of social media, and remain hardworking, prayerful and God-fearing.

He expressed confidence that adherence to such values would position them for lasting success.

The thanksgiving service attracted ministers of the gospel, parents, teachers, students and other well-wishers who celebrated the graduation of the pioneer SS3 class of Latter-Rain High School.

The participants encouraged the graduates to uphold the values instilled in them and contribute meaningfully to society.

(NAN)