Chairman, Panel of Judges. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to speak against the motion that states that the youths of today are more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work. It is not true that the youths of today are interested in pleasure than academic work. I will like to say that everyone likes pleasure one way or the other and so are the youths, but I put it to you that in spite of this fact, the youths take their academic work seriously than they take pleasure.
First and foremost, I want to say categorically that in schools, both in secondary schools and higher institutions, the youths think about their academics before they think about pleasure. Everyone wants to pass his examinations and make his family proud. Nobody wants to fail and be put to shame or be asked to withdraw. This makes the youths to work hard on their academic work than pleasure.
I will also like us to look at the number of people who write the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Examination every year for placement in our universities. Last year, about one million candidates, who are mostly youths, sat for the examination. I now ask you my audience, if the youths of today do not take academic works seriously, why would so many people write JAMB examination even when some of these youths had written it about six to seven times and insist on writing it. It is because they want to gain admission into the university and further their education.
The youths of today will by dint of hard work go to school to get good degrees. Where then is the pursuit of pleasure that is being alleged? Without seriousness at school, the youths do know that they can't achieve success. Therefore, they take their academic work seriously as there will be time for pleasure later. The youths of today also desire to be recognized and reckoned with in the society. They know that they can not become prominent Nigerians in future unless they work very hard in their studies. Therefore they want to work hard on their academic work so as to get good grade at school in order not to depend on their parents or anybody in future and be able to take care of their families without difficulty. They know that this can't be achieved without hard work.
Today, many companies will not employ anybody who does not pass with distinction in his academics. Therefore, those who do not pass their examinations won't be employed. This means that all the years they spend in school have been wasted. The youths of today are aware of this crucial point which makes them to work hard on their academic work. They do not pursue pleasure as my opponent will want us to believe.
I hope that with these few points of mine. I have been able to convince you that the youths of today are interested in their academic work more than in the pursuit of pleasure.