Patton asks students to avoid drugs, alcohol

Minister for forest and border affairs Y. Patton Saturday advised students to stay away from all kinds of drugs and alcohol and instead direct their faculties towards becoming well-educated individuals useful to society.
Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Koio Students’ Union (KSU) as chief guest here at Rangtsu Hayi, Koio village under Wokha district, Patton further urged those students who may be abusing drugs and alcohol to give them up in the name of the jubilee being celebrated.
Opining that it was only through God’s grace that people were able to partake in jubilees of all kinds, Patton hoped that the present jubilee celebrations would turn out to be a blessing of many good things to the student community, participants, Koio villagers, village, and beyond. Patton donated Rs. 1, 50,000 towards the KSU golden jubilee celebrations and also announced an award of Rs. one lakh for NPSC candidates qualifying for the post of EAC/DSP from the village during his tenure as minister. Earlier, Patton released the KSU golden jubilee souvenir as well as unveiled the jubilee stone after it was dedicated by Tsungiki village Baptist church pastor Rev Rhyutsemo Ngullie. A special prayer of blessings for the students of the village was also offered by Okotso village Baptist church pastor Reverend O. Yibomo.
Former agriculture minister Dr. Chumben Murry exhorted the gathering while jubilee greetings were delivered by NSF deputy speaker Imti Jamir and Nyiro Range Students’ Union president Liben Kikon. Mount Tiyi College Wokha associate professor (department of economics) Dr Zumomo Ovung spoke on the jubilee theme ‘Transcending the Barriers’ while former KSU general secretary Mhabemo Ezung (1963) dwelt on the genesis of KSU.
Nungying village Baptist church pastor Rentsamo Kithan offered invocation, Chukitong Baptist church pastor Ekyimo Ngullie pronounced benediction, KSU president Chonbenthung Kikon delivered welcome address, KSU golden jubilee planning board member Mhao Kikon proposed vote of thanks, Naga Orpheus Hunt 2012 finalist Thunglamo Ngullie and Koio Baptist church choir presented special numbers, and Koio Village Council presented a folk song at the jubilee celebration programme chaired by Dr Mhathung Ngullie and Z Rhonbeni Kikon.