By Esther Onyegbula

Students in Apapa-Iganmu area of Lagos have been urged to shun cultism, drug abuse and electoral violence, as stakeholders warned that involvement in social vices could destroy their future and deny the nation responsible leaders.

The call was made during a sensitisation programme organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, in collaboration with Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, held at Iganmu Senior High School, Apapa-Iganmu, to commemorate Children’s Day.

The programme, themed: “Your Future Is Not For Sale: Say No To Election Violence, Cultism and Drug Abuse,” brought together students, teachers, community leaders, police officers and mental health experts.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu, described the programme as a timely intervention aimed at protecting young people from destructive influences.

He said: “Today’s gathering is not just another school event. It is a rescue mission. It is a wake-up call. It is a conversation about life, choices, destiny and the consequences of wrong associations.”

Saliu warned that cultism and drug abuse had continued to destroy the lives and dreams of many young people across the country.
According to him, many students who joined cult groups in search of protection, popularity or power eventually became victims themselves.
“Some lost their education. Some lost their families. Some lost their future,” he said.

On drug abuse, the council boss said hard drugs and harmful substances damage the brain, weaken the body and negatively affect decision-making.
He added that drug abuse contributes to poor academic performance, depression, addiction, violent crimes and broken relationships.

“Families suffer emotional pain. Communities become unsafe. Schools lose brilliant students. Nations lose future leaders, doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, innovators and responsible citizens,” he stated.

Saliu identified peer pressure, broken homes, emotional trauma, poor parental care and negative social influence as some of the factors pushing youths into cultism and drug abuse.
He urged students to choose friends wisely, remain focused on their education and speak up whenever they feel pressured or confused.
“Saying no to drugs or cultism is not weakness; it is wisdom and strength,” he told the students.

The chairman also encouraged students from difficult family backgrounds not to allow their environment determine their future.
“Your parents’ condition does not define your future. You can still become successful, responsible and great in life,” he said.

Saliu disclosed that the council had continued to organise sensitisation campaigns across schools and communities within the LCDA to reduce crime and social vices among youths.
According to him, over 30 schools, both junior and senior secondary schools, exist within the council area and would continue to benefit from educational and mentorship initiatives.

He also announced plans to organise debate competitions among schools and provide additional academic support for students through extra lessons and educational materials.

Speaking on efforts to reach out-of-school children, Lagos State Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Olivia Ugochukwu, said the organisation was collaborating with community leaders and other stakeholders to spread its anti-vice campaign across communities.

She said: “POCACOV Lagos State chapter is taking this message of hope to the youth.”
Ugochukwu disclosed that the organisation had also extended its advocacy to parents through Parent-Teacher Association, PTA, meetings.
“We not only speak with the students, we also speak with their parents because it’s one thing to sensitise the students. If the values they are being inculcated with at home are not strong enough, they are bound to fall,” she said.

She urged youths not to allow their environment or background influence their life choices.
“The message we send to them is that their environment is not an excuse. Their environment should not limit their thinking,” she added.

Also speaking, a mental health physician, Dr. Akinlade Olatubosun, said there was need for early education on the dangers of drug abuse among young people.

“What we do basically now is taking the information to the younger generation because drug abuse usually creeps in little by little. These are the things we need to educate them on early enough in life,” he said.
The event featured presentations and performances by students from different schools, highlighting the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and violence.