Calabar — Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan has warned youths in the country to avoid thuggery. The first lady gave the warning Tuesday in Calabar at the flag-off of the PDP Women's zonal rally for the South-South.

"Nigerian youths should not allow themselves to be used as instruments for violence and thuggery before, during and after the elections. Political campaigns and election proper are setting in, I strongly advise that you do not allow politicians to use you. Let them use their children. We in the South have said, 'No' to militancy," she said.

Commending the Federal Government for its youth empowerment initiative aimed at ensuring that the young people are gainfully employed, she urged youths to be patient with government.

"This administration has tried its best, it has saved us from militancy and they are training our children in various vocations. This administration will show you the way so that you will benefit and become useful children to your mothers and parents. I want to urge you to please drop your arms and come to your mothers. Please come, my door is always open for you (youths), I am going to mother you, I love you all," she said.

She thanked the Federal Government for involving women in positions of leadership in the present administration.

"We, Nigerian women have been carried along by this administration. We want to play our part in the development in this country. This is the only administration that has wiped tears from the faces of our women. It is the first government that has given a woman the position of admiral, Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the directive that women be recruited and trained to become officers in the Armed Forces," she said.