•••Cultism in basic school more worrisome – Oyetola
Thursday, October 21, 2021 was a special day for The Nigeria Police Force, Osun state command as it organized a summit to flag off its campaign against cultism.
The programme, under the umbrella of Police Campaign Against Cultism and other vices (POCACOV), has theme – Cultism; A growing menace and threat to Education.
The occasion which was held in Osogbo, the State capital, was organized to enlighten societies, especially the youths, students and adults on the effects of cultism and reasons they need to shun cultism and other vices related to it.
The Governor of Osun state, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, who was the Father of the day, expressed his heartfelt message on the programme.
Oyetola, who was represented by Yemi Lawal, the commissioner for youths and sports, described cultism as a monster that has in recent times become a disturbing monster ravaging our nations education system.
He said, “Even more disturbing is that this worrisome phenomenon, beyond it’s tentacles in our tertiary institutions, is gradually taking roots among our pupils in primary and secondary schools.”
He added by urging “all society members to be more deliberate than ever, in offering relevant counsel and guidance that would enable them to grow without needles hurts.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Adebisi Akande who was represented by The former Deputy Governor, Otunba Titi Laoye Tomori zealously charged the students to desist from cultism as it does nothing than to destroy both the doer and receiver of illegal act.
He continued by pleading with the government and also security agencies, school owners, parents and guardian to perform their responsibility so as to curb cultism in the society.
Professor Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice – Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who was the guest lecturer of the day, began his lecture by analysing the source of cultism in Nigeria universities as it originated from University of Ibadan by Prof. Wole Soyinka, which was then called peaceful Fraternity.
Ogunbodede said ” Cultism is not new, what is new is the trend and the newest way our people operate cultism today”.
He pressed further by saying ” the handshake of this cultism has been extended from Nigerian university into the society “.
He concluded by pleading to the government and also society at large not to condemn any cultists they come across as everyone always has a cogent reason why they joined at first. He said society should rather counsel them and refer them to appropriate bodies that could help change their lives.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode, who inaugurated the National Youth Service Corps into the POCACOV, appreciated their presence and he also presented them gifts as a kind of motivation.
Olokode said, “The POCACOV represents a new approach by the Nigeria Police in combating cultism and other vices. It is also a way of recognizing the fact that core law enforcement approach is no longer enough in combating these sets of crimes. Hence, the need to work with different stakeholders as well as mobilize the people to support in getting to the root of the crimes.
“I wish to call on all stakeholders in Osun State and environ to join the Nigeria police Force through POCACOV to carry out enlightenment campaigns with a view to dissuading our youths from engaging in Cultism, Drug Abuse, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Other Vices in the Community.
“As a campaign anchored on the principles of community policing, we invite our youths, transporters, artisans, faith-based and community based organizations, traditional Rulers, youths groups, students, market organizations, sister security agencies, the media,development partners and indeed, all well meaning Nigerians to join forces with the Police and support the campaign in order to save Nigerian Youths from the claws of cultism and other vices and for a safe and secured nation.”
The CSP Ebere Amaraizu, who represented the IG of police, described how Police Campaign Against Cultism and other vices (POCACOV) was founded and also their mission to re-awaken the security consciousness of members of the public.
The event was attended by The former deputy Governor, Otunba Titilaoye Tomori, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan, represented Dr Raymond Adegoke Atobatele, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo, Principals and Proprietors of Private schools, Police officers, Teachers, National Youth Service Corps members, Tertiary institutions students, secondary school students and primary school pupils, among others.
