A university teacher, Dr Awotien George, has blamed the rising crime rate in Rivers on “greedy’’ parents.
George, who teaches at the Rivers State University of Technology, Port Harcourt said that some parents often compared their children with their mates, who had “become rich’’.
The Don, who said that it was only God that could stop the crime trend in the state, listed the crimes to include kidnapping, armed robbery, assassination and illegal bunkering.
He alleged that some parents encouraged their sons to go into crimes by insulting them and comparing them with their mates who had amassed wealth through questionable means.
According to him, such Parents are not wise.
The lecturer advised such money-loving parents to live a responsible life for their children to copy rather than encouraging them to accumulate money without hard work.
According to him, children should be encouraged to acquire education or learn a trade to earn a legitimate income, rather than through crime.
“Train a child on how to fish and earn legitimate income in life.’’
George advised youths in the state to think about “their tomorrow”, saying that it was important they did so “ because they will not be young forever”.
According to him, the activities they are involved in now, they cannot continue with them in the next 20 years.
“There is no joy collecting money to kill your fellow human being,” he further said.
