The Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) has begun the implementation of its sensitisation project/programme aimed at persuading youths in the nine states of the region from indulging in drug abuse and cultism.
Managed and executed by Magvidav Nigeria Limited, the project is said to be aimed at building safer schools and a better society.
According to Egondu Esinwoke, the programme coordinator, the programme is more than just a gathering but a call to action.
She 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.
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 in 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 the 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 sensitised 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.
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.
Caleb thanked the NDDC for the programme, adding that the biggest takeaway point for all the students is that indulging in drug abuse or cultism could be easy, but exiting is either extremely difficult or sometimes ends terribly.
