Special guests at the event shared their thoughts.
Chief Hakeem Oladipupo Ojora, the Bashiru of Ojora and Iganmu Kingdom who represented the Oba of Ijora, Oba Abdulfatai Aremu Aromire said: ‘We are very appreciative of POCACOV for the great program for our youth. All of us know what is going on in our society. It pertains to this cultism; our youth, and it’s our future so it’s better for every one of us to be part of this advocacy.’
The founder and President of World Humanitarian Organization for Peace and Equity, Chaplain James Mercy Babatunmibi highlighted: ‘This is what we need in our country, Nigeria. We’ve all been seeing the other vices across the globe, even here in Nigeria. So, the Nigerian Police is taking it upon herself to be sure that the cultism is totally cut to the zero level in Nigeria. This should be general assignment for everyone – organizations, ministries, churches, and also in schools. It’s all about education. It’s all about empowerment. It’s all about community development.’
The Founder of Okachi Charity Foundation, Faith Morey who is one of the partners for the Children’s Day party hinted that her organization sponsors kids from lower education, nursery to primary. ‘We align with POCACOV because they are actually preventing the kids from joining crime. We realize that most of the schools we associate with are schools who are from the low background, which is where you have an increase of crime. This is educating them on how to prevent crime, not only when they join crime.’
A reformed cultist and former national capon of one of the campus Cultist clubs from UI, Daniel Osita Collins who attended the event to share his personal experiences said: ‘It’s good that the Police is championing this. And this is the reason why the society must join hands with the Nigeria Police, for us to curb this menace. If there’s any bad thing we have today in the world, it’s the crime of cultism. And cultism have become a big threat to our society. It is linked to drug addiction, rape, arson, kidnapping. So what the police is doing is saving the youth before they fall into a ditch.’
‘As a former member and a victim, I must call myself a victim, it’s a privilege to join the Police to do this at this time. I really appreciate the IGP, the AIG Zone 2 and the ACP Olabisi who are championing this’, Collins said.
Schoolchildren who attended the event were full of praises for the Nigeria Police and the POCACOV for the event and for the initiative which is established to better the lives of youths in Nigeria.
Praise Ifunanyachikwu from Labelle Comprehensive College, Gbagada said: ‘This program has been able to impact my knowledge because it has shown me different ways to flee from cultism. It also made me realize that a life of sin is not good and, is of no use. Rather, I can live towards God and make my family proud.’
Another Student, Mercy Boluwatife from Godman Senior Modern College stated: ‘This program has really enlightened me and other students about cultism. It taught us the causes, the prevention, and so many things. It taught us to go on the right path and not in the wrong path. It has really helped us, students. It has exposed us to different things we don’t know and the consequences of cultism. If I see something like bullying, I would help the student they are bullying to report to the police and anyone I know that could help the child.’
Omaaka Joshua, from Elite College said: ‘I learned that cultism is bad, most especially for children of our age. It is not good for us. It will destroy our life before it even starts. We should stay away from cultism. Say no to cultism. I’m thanking POCACOV for what they did for us. It has encouraged us all.’
