My iPod is locked. Help?

One of my old friends gave me this iPod as a going away present and they forgot to turn off their iCloud. I can't talk to them anymore and this iPod is useless now and I need help.

You summed it up. it is useless. What you’re running into is the activation lock and it cannot be disabled since it is a theft deterrent system.

You need to get the apple ID your friend used to set up the device or you can never use it.