The Governor of Osun State, Sen Ademola Adeleke, has warned students of tertiary Institutions, secondary and primary schools to say no to cultism and other social vices that can ruin their brighter future.
Adeleke gave the warning during the 4th Osun State the 2023 Police Campaign against Cultism and other vices (POCACOV)& Ile-Ife POCACOV Launch at OAU, (Amph Hall, on Thursday, in Ile-Ife.
Adeleke, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security to governor, Rtd.Simeon Ojo, lamented on Cultism that has been a major challenge directly undermining societal well-being and cohesion.
He expressed further that despite the best efforts, the menace is spreading like wildfire as it provides the backbone for other criminal activities within the society.
According to him, cultism has penetrated to public and private Institutions, secondary and primary schools, saying that patrons of cult groups have risen to key leadership positions within the polity.
The governor attributed the numbers of disoriented youths seeking for assistance outside which lure majority of them to cultism to broken homes and other family challenges.
He viewed that unless societal values are restored, cultism will remain a dreaded cancer and family and societal values cannot be resuscitated until the economic collapsed of most families are addressed.
Adeleke charged the parents to support the present administration in laying a solid foundation for restoration and stabilisation of family and community lives and ensure refocus attention on parenting.
Earlier, Osun State Commissiner of Police, CP Patric Longe, have appealed to the parents and other stakeholders in the society to provide a platform that will aid public enlightenment, religion and moral instructions against cultism, drug Abuse among youth.
Longe,who was represented by Ife Area Commander, Acp Alabi Abiodun, said that there's no doubt that cultism, drug abuse among others social vices as done havoc in the life of many youth both members and non members.
He admonished them to shun cultism and other social vices that has nothing to earn them than destruction, untimely death and life imprisonment, but should be a good ambassador of their family, school and society at large.
The Vice-Chancellor Redeemer's University, Ede, Prof Anthony Akinlo, delivered lecture on: Cultism and Social Vices: Consequences on Nigerian Youths and way out.
Akinlo, who was represented by a Psychologist, from Department of Behavioural Studies of the University, Prof.Olusola Akinbobola, said that there are many things that led youths to engage on cultism and social vices.
He tasked the government and the parents to contribute their quota to progress and development of these by catching them young, before they will be snatched away from them.
Akiklo admonished them to run away from taking drugs, alcohol, marijuana and cultism among others social vices that would abolished their present and their future.
The Vice-Chancellor called on government, parents, Non-Governmental Organisations, community leaders, religious clerics to jointly teach these youths against such evil act.
He warned the youths against evil gangs that can lured them to all immoralities, saying evil gang spoilt good character, advised not to try taking the step of joining cultists nor taking hard drug all, for it won't easy to quit
Also,the Second Guest Lecturer, Cheif Medical Director(CMD), UNIOSUN Teaching hospital, Prof Peter
Babatunde, spoke on:"Drug Abuse and Addiction: Effects on Brain, Risk Factors and Remedies".
Babatunde highlighted the consequences effects of drug Abuse as: lack of self coordination, depression, heart diseases, skin stigma, liver cancer, high blood pressure, mental and emotional problem.
The Chief Medical Director, who was represented by Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, charged students to face their studies squarely and allow God to fulfil His will in their Lives.
He urged parents to ensure their closeness to their children, teach them in the way of the Lord and should give them regular visitation and proper monitoring at schools to get their true pictures.
Babatunde counselled parents not to be too hash or too soft to them and should give them thorough sensitisation on cultism and drug abuse and those that have joined there's hope of rehabilitation for brighter future.
The Chief Medical Director called for.all hands to be on deck especially parents, government, stakeholders, philanthropists and Non-governmental Organisations to redefine the society create employment for youths.
"Let's legislative body enact and implents law that will restrict excessive use of drugs to ensure crime free society". He charged.
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