By Onwa Ekor
Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) in partnership with Tamzats Services limited, Wednesday, took the campaign against cultism and drug abuse to NYSC Demonstration Secondary School in Calabar Municipality of Cross River.
The event which saw over 500 students being admonished to stay off social vices that are detrimental to their future, was powered by Dispute and Conflict Resolution department of the NDDC and implemented by Tamzats Services Limited, with the theme “Campaign against cultism and promotion of peace among students in Secondary Schools in Cross River.”
The campaign which also attracted Officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) saw the students being tutored on several topics equipped to reshape their future.
MD/CEO of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, remarked that worried by the rise in cultism and drug abuse among youths, he decided to approve the program in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, to check the effects of the vices.
Represented by Barr. Barry Amos, the MD said: “If we don’t initiate programs like this, we don’t know what your future will be, we care about your wellbeing and mental health hence we are here to sensitize you.
“Be attentive, learn and apply the lessons that will be taught here in your daily life as the lessons will go a long way to help you in future.
“We need to guide and expose you to positive lifestyle so that when we retire, we will have people to replace us and carry on with the business of NDDC, please shun cultism and drug abuse for a sustainable future,” Ogbuku advised.
Cross River Deputy Director of NDDC, Koko Obot, cautioned that, “true greatness is only achieved in education, character and integrity hence all must join hands to say no to cultism and yes to peace, unity and progress.”
Urging the participants to embrace peace, discipline, hard work and positive virtues, Obot added that, “as students and future leaders, the choice you make today will determine the future you will enjoy tomorrow.”
Speaking on the topic, “Drugs and cultism: The twin brothers that destroy futures,” NDLEA Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, Doris Ekong, listed peer pressure, broken homes, poverty, desire for power and protection including media influence and idleness as reasons why youths are exposed to cultism.
Ekong further charged the students never to engage in drugs or practice cultism as the vices are dangerous to them, instead they should choose the path of peace and hard work, maintaining also that, “your future is your treasure and should never be compromised.”
On his part, a mental health counselor and consultant with Tamzats Services limited, Victor Akene, remarked that considering how cultism and drug abuse have degenerated into schools, there was need to move the campaign against such vices to schools in order to catch them young.
Akene who spoke on, “cultism and your mental health,” said: “once you are a cultist you won’t think straight, you will be filled with low self esteem, anxiety and fear, so, do not join cult, it is a no, no, it will rather affect your mental health and reduce you to a poor student.”
He further enjoined the students to choose their friends wisely, embrace noble values and always do what is right.
The Vice Principal of the school and a student, Miracle Okpara, in their separate speeches, lauded the efforts of NDDC in taking the campaign to the school, pledging to take the knowledge inculcated into practice.
Highpoints of the interactive event were mind game activities, dance therapy, presentation of a Peace Ambassador award to a student, Jerry Eyong and a certificate of participation to the school.
It also featured chanting of the Anti cultism/peace promotion pledge by students, gift packs distribution including Tee shirts and caps with the inscriptions, “Smart students don’t join cults,” “Promote peace, protect our schools.”
