Police develops modules to engage youths in fight against cultism, substance abuse

Police develops modules to engage youths in fight against cultism, substance abuse

Bisi ABASS

The Nigeria Police Force says it has developed modules for the engagement that will run in various clusters for engagement and enlightenment of stakeholders to check cultism, substance abuse, sexual and gender-based violence in 2021.

CSP Ebere Amaraizu, National Coordinator of Police Campaign against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in a chat with newsmen in Enugu on Saturday, said stakeholders could tap into them to understand the overall essence of the Nigeria Police Force’s public safety and security design anchored on community-oriented policing.

Amaraizu said the essence of the programme was to sensitize different stakeholders and importantly, youths, who were more into cultism and substance abuse.

“The programme will consolidate on the strong and acceptable traditions of putting a round peg in a round hole.

“It will encourage positive and progressive competitions among youths and galvanize their support to understand their importance to safety, security and development and as leaders.

“We thank the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, for his leadership mind-set which has propelled the POCACOV initiative and its numerous intervention programmes aimed at providing alternatives and strategic leadership direction for youths,’’ he said.

He noted that POCACOV created robust awareness against youths’ involvement in crime, cultism and other vices, their consequences and way out in 2020.

Amaraizu added that in 2021, POCACOV desired the engagement of all stakeholders in parenting and upbringing to take responsibility for any child or young adult under their care.

“POCACOV shall be working with ministries, departments and agencies as well as community and youth-based organizations, market unions and faith-based organizations in 2021.

“This is with a view to galvanizing their support towards invigorating values and cultures that promote hard work, dedication and the needed discipline that have been jettisoned and abandoned.

“The positive value system and culture is the bedrock of any progressive society or country,’’ he said.