GOV OTTI LEADS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CULTISM, DRUG ABUSE IN ABIA
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia State Government says it will not relent in the fight against crime to ensure the state remains safe for the residents, especially this yuletide.
The state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, stated this while declaring open a one day sensitization Campaign against Cultism and Drugs Addiction in Nigeria held at Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia.
The Governor, who stressed the importance of educating the people on dangers of cultism and drug addiction, expressed regret at the level of atrocities drug addicts had done in the society.
He urged the participants in the programme to take home all the messages against cultism and drug addiction to reduce the menace in the society.
In a goodwill message, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State’s C.I.D, Mr. Sani Shuaibu, described the campaign against cultism and drug addiction as timely.
He, however, bemoaned the high level of involvement of youths in cultism and drug addiction.
The IGP gave an assurance that the police would continue to cooperate with other sister agencies and the Abia State Government to fight the menace of cultism and drug addiction.
In a keynote lecture entitled “Building a New Abia Through a Responsible Citizenship,” the Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, identified some challenges confronting youths that push them to deviant behaviour.
They include unemployment, inadequate revenue generation, weak industrial base.
He stressed the need for responsible citizenship by all, especially youths and expressed his appreciation to Governor Otti for the approach he had taken in the fight against cultism, drug addiction and criminality in Abia State.
Earlier in an address, the Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency, Pastor Dike Nwankwo, noted that the programme was aimed at sensitizing and reorientating the people vof Abia State, especially the youth on the dangers of cultism and drug addiction.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
