As the issue of cultism and its associated crime continue to prevail in the lives of youths of today, the leadership of Agbaja Youth General Assembly, AYGA, in conjunction with Nigeria Police Force under her national Campaign; Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, hosted youths across the 40 electoral wards in Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas (which made up the present day Agbaja Land) to a summit with the theme; ‘Nurturing Security Conscious and Law Abiding Youths’.
The National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Ebere Amarizu, in his keynote speech said, POCACOV which is the initiative of Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu is working with relevant stakeholder from different communities and organizations and is aimed at saving the youths from the claws of cultism and its associated crime(s). He also said the campaign is aimed at helping youths who are already into cultism to come out of the deadly act.
SP Amaraizu called on the youths to be outspoken and to be able to say ‘NO’ each time their friends or peers try to lure them into joining wrong groups.
“POCACOV became a child of necessity as the ill wind of cultism now sweeps across all spheres of the society. Artisans, bus conductors, mechanics and others started joining this evil group and some of them don’t even know why they are there” Amaraizu said.
He also advised the youths to be weary of the friends they keep and events they attend. He specifically warned them about attending birthday parties of persons they don’t know. in his words; “Most birthday parties are recruiting grounds for cultists. Some persons that join these groups are not told the entire truth about the group they are joining and when they are there, it becomes difficult to leave.”
The Governor of Enugu state Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while addressing the youths said his government has done a lot to improve the security situation he met in the state and will continue to improve on the gains achieved so far.
Represented by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy matters, Dr. C.O.C Egumgbe, Governor Ugwuanyi said the provision of operational vehicles for all the security agents in the state, the establishment and equipping of forest guards are few of the activities of the government with regards to security. “And recently, the state Exco approved the payment of Neighborhood watch and forest guards eliminating the fears of sustaining the activities of these outfits”
On the inclusion of youths in government, Dr. Egumgbe said this is the first time in recent history that young persons are appointed as commissioners, SSAs and SAs in Enugu state and this is because, the Governor believes in the youths.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu in his remarks enjoined the youths to shun cultism stressing that; “Those who indulge in cultism end up being failures in life and some of them that are in thhose things, when they have a problem, they call us for help. So what’s the need?” he asked.
Speaking on the state of security in Enugu state and Nigeria at large, Ekweremadu said that National or community policing cannot help the nation come out its present state of insecurity advising that decentralized policing is the way to go as is obtainable in countries with better security.
“Practicing state policing and providing jobs for the youths is just the best way to reduce crimes in all parts of the Nation” he said.
Ekweremadu further advised youths to be law abiding in all that they do.
Also speaking at the event, the Lawmaker representing Udi/Ezeagu at the Federal house of Representative, Hon. Dennis Amadi called on the youths to take security issues in the state very serious as development can only occur in a place where there is peace and security.
President of the Agbaja Youths Assembly, Comr. Nebo Samuel during his address earlier in the programme stated that the gathering was in no way political but for the good people of Agbaja land.
He emphasized that the breaking and maintenance of law and order in every land lies mostly in the hands of the youths.
Comr. Nebo thanked the Governor for ensuring the security of the people of Agbaja and Enugu at large by putting in place several security measures to ensure the state maintains its peaceful state.
He further called on governor Ugwuanyi, His deputy, Lolo Cecilia Ezilo, senator Ekweremadu and other key political office holders in the region to provide jobs for the youths and political inclusion.
The Anglican Bishop of Udi Diocese represented by Ven S.I Okoli, prayed for the youths and urged them to be good representatives of their various communities. The Bishop called on the youths to know that whatever they do now; good or bad will always have an effect in their future.
Other highlights of the event was the launching of the “campaign against cultism” in all the secondary schools in Agbaja land and the presentation of awards to; The Governor of Enugu State, Sen. Ekweremadu and Hon. Amadi.
Governor Ugwuanyi received an award of merit from the youths as “The Most Peaceful Governor” while Senator Ekweremadu was given the award of “Agbaja Youths Role Model” and Hon. Dennis Amadi award as “The Voice of Agbaja Youths.”
The event which took place at the Udi Local Government Area Headquarters, also had in attendance, School Principals from the 54 Secondary schools in Udi and Ezeagu LGAs, youths from tertiary institutions amongst others.
below are some pictures from the event;
