By Segun Adeyanju
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advocate and program manager, Joy Tomo, has urged young people to build resilience and embrace positive choices in the face of peer pressure.
She made the call as a guest on Grassroot TV, where she discussed the theme “Peer Pressure and the Youth: Choices that Shape Our Future.”
Tomo described peer pressure as a daily reality for today’s youth, shaped not only by friendships and school environments but also by the powerful influence of social media and pop culture.
She emphasized that while peer influence is inevitable, young people must learn to distinguish between its positive and negative dimensions.
Highlighting key insights from the discussion, she explained reasons why youths often yield to pressure and stressed the role of families, schools, and communities in providing strong support systems.
According to her, empowering young people with confidence, resilience, and positive peer groups at the grassroots is essential in helping them overcome negative influences.
“Peer pressure is inevitable, but its outcome is always a choice,” Tomo stated. “With the right mentorship, empowerment, and community support, our youths can rise above unhealthy pressures and lead with confidence.”
She expressed gratitude to Grassroot TV for providing a platform that inspires real solutions for communities and called for continuous engagement in conversations that safeguard the future of young people.
