The Dispute and Conflict Resolution Department of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) has extended its anti cultism programme and war against drug abuse to secondary schools in Abia State.
DrumAfricanews learnt that the programme which is ongoing in the entire 9 Niger Delta States, marka the full implementation of the NDDC’s sensitisation programme aimed at persuading youths of the region from indulging in drug abuse and cultism.
The project which managed a reputable partner of the NDDC, Migvidav Nigeria Limited, is said to be aimed at building safer schools and a better society.
Egondu Esinwoke, a representative of Migvidav and programme coordinator, the programme is more than just a gathering but a call to action.
Esinwoke said that cultism is a serious issue that threatens not only education but also the safety and future of young people.
“At Magvidav Nigeria Limited, we believe that every student has a bright future. That is why we are proud to support this campaign alongside our partners.”
She urged the students to choose peace and embrace a future they can be proud of, stressing that the choices they make today will shape their tomorrow.
Hyginus Uche Okoye, a staff member in the Dispute and Conflict Resolution Department of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said that the project is aimed at building human capital, stressing that human capital and infrastructural development are cardinal points of the commission’s mission.
He said that both the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and the Director, Dispute and Conflict Resolution Department, Dr Godwin Ogedegbe, see the sensitisation programme as expedient for students in the region for the achievement of peace and progress.
He said that the NDDC wants to use the programme to create a safer society, adding that a drug-free society is a better society.
“There’s a stage these children will get to, it’ll be extremely impossible to control them again. By that time, those who may have been deceived into these vices may have gone out of control. This is why the NDDC believes that it is better to keep them safe at the tender age so that we all can have a safer society.”
Okoye said that catching these children young and helping them know the dangers of drug abuse and cultism at this young age is better for the Niger Delta region because it’ll help the security of the region.
“We believe that prevention is better than cure. We must not allow drugs and cultism before we start doing something. This is happening in all nine Niger Delta states. We are capturing over 1,000 in every state, and when you look at it deeply, it’s over 10,000 youths of this region.
“It’s going to be a regular thing and part of our Renewed Hope Mandate. We’re targeting schools, and despite the constrained economy, our management is taking it seriously.”
He said that his team was in Abia State to monitor the programme to ensure that it was properly executed, as it is not just enough to give money but to ensure purpose is achieved.
Frank Nwaohamou, an assistant commander of narcotics drugs in charge of training, prevention and sensitisation at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Abia State Command, spoke on the dangers of drug abuse and links to cultism.
Nwaohamou urged the students to say no to drugs and yes to a purposeful life and further advised the students not to indulge in drugs, as it is the easiest way to destroy their future.
He educated the students on the types of drugs, their dangers and the negative effects of all the aforementioned drugs, including brain damage, and warned the students to always prefer prevention to cure, stressing that rehabilitation is not always the solution.
Amaka Biachi, a lawyer and resource person, appealed to young people to avoid joining bad groups.
She also urged them to report any act of intimidation or bullying from fellow students to their teachers.
“Don’t accept gifts that you cannot afford, because it could be a ploy to introduce you to cultism and other heinous crimes,” she advised.
Nzeadibe Caroline, the principal of the senior section of Asa High School, one of the schools that benefited from the programme, expressed her gratitude to the NDDC for bringing such a programme to Asa High School and urged the students to take seriously the lectures given on drug abuse and cultism.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Chiamaka Caleb, a senior secondary three student (SS3), said that they have learnt what they never knew about cultism and drug abuse, how to identify them, how to avoid them and the need to eschew friends that may lead them to such societal vices.
