Nchimbi: Guide youth away from shortcuts
DAR ES SALAAM: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi has called for renewed focus on youth upbringing, urging parents and society to instil the values of prayer, hard work and education to raise a skilled, disciplined and responsible generation.
Dr Nchimbi said young people guided by these principles will gain the skills and discipline needed to contribute to national development rather than resort to shortcuts in pursuit of success.
The VP made the remarks on Saturday shortly after attending a special Holy Mass for members and former students of Uru Seminary at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish in Tabata Kimanga, Dar es Salaam.
He said the principles of prayer, work and studies that shaped upbringing at Uru Seminary remained relevant to young people today and deserved greater emphasis.
“Education brings knowledge and skills, while failure to develop a culture of reading can create a tendency to seek shortcuts in life,” said Dr Nchimbi.
He said the upbringing he and other students received at Uru Seminary, under the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles of Jesus, was intended to prepare young people to become self-reliant, serve God and serve humanity.
“We were brought up to understand ourselves as servants of God, but also as people with a responsibility to serve and help fellow human beings,” he said.
Dr Nchimbi said parents and society should ensure children learn to know and love God, develop a strong work ethic and cultivate a passion for learning.
He cautioned against a growing tendency among young people to seek quick success without putting in the necessary effort, saying hard work remained a key foundation for both personal and national development.
“Let us teach our children to love work. Today, people are increasingly attracted to games and entertainment, but we must also ensure that our children develop a culture of working hard and becoming self-reliant,” he said.
The Vice-President also called on members of the Uru Seminary community to maintain and strengthen their unity, saying it should be channelled towards contributing to national development.
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He urged them to make good use of every opportunity to serve the country, work diligently and continue praying for Tanzania and its leaders.
Dr Nchimbi said the government will continue to recognise and value the contribution of religious institutions to Tanzania’s social and economic development.
He said faith-based institutions had for many years been important partners of the government, particularly in providing education and health services to communities across the country.
“For many years, religious institutions have made a significant contribution to the provision of education and health services. The government will continue working with these institutions so that together we can achieve even more in building our nation,” he said.
He thanked teachers, caregivers and former students of Uru Seminary for their cooperation and sound upbringing, which had helped shape generations of students and instil in them the values of serving God and humanity.
The Holy Mass was led by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kigoma, Rt Rev Joseph Mlola, who urged members of the Uru Seminary community to remain committed to their role in promoting positive values in society.
In his homily, Bishop Mlola said members of the community had a responsibility to uphold and promote a life of faith that pleases both God and fellow human beings.
