Comrade Agada Foundation has called on youths in Kogi state to shun cultism, drug abuse and other forms of social vices.
The Foundation made the call in Lokoja on Thursday when it staged street to street sensitization on social vice as part of its activities to mark the 29th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The chief executive officer of the foundation, Comrade Noah Agada said drug abuse and cultism are “pandemics affecting the life of youth in the state and country at large.”
He charged students in tertiary institutions across the state to channel their energy and knowledge towards nation building.
“We must take advantage of the opportunities within the context of a complex society such as ours, to help our society to create better life for our citizens in the midst of these challenges.
“Social vices such as sex for grade, exam malpractice, drug abuse, cultism, rape and suicide rates in the society are alarming. The implications of these have adverse consequence on youths, who contribute more than 60% of labour force. Youths are the backbone of society, as such, it is important for students to be sensitized.
“I call on my fellow youth to desist from drug abuse. When you take drugs, you limit your capacity to be productive. Some of you are so creative, comes from responsible family and future leaders but how prepared are you to key into this opportunity, if you keep involving yourselves in illegalities?
“The Comrade Agada foundation is working with some tertiary institutions in the state and security agencies to ensure that cultism and other criminal activities within and around the campus are tackled to provide safe learning environment,” he said.
The sensitization started at the popular Natako junction around 8.30 am before moving to other areas around Felele in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state.
He said Agada Foundation will initiate a statewide program in order to “re-orientate students on the ills of these social vices and create a platform for continuous engagement of stakeholders on how to curb the menace”.
He called on the state government to key into this foundation’s program for sensitizing youths, also provide more security outpost close to the campuses and construct perimeter fence around some institutions to enhance the security of staff and students.
While celebrating the 29th anniversary of Kogi state creation, Agada applauded Governor Yahaya Bello for stabilizing the academic calendar in state owned tertiary institutions.
He also commended the governor for the enhanced security across the state.
He called on youths in the state to position themselves to benefit from the various life enhancing opportunities in the state.
He acknowledged and expressed gratitude to sponsors who partnered with Agada Foundation on the sensitization program; Iduh Foundation, Waves of Success Foundation, Quincybaks Multi-resource Nigeria LTD, Pacesetters Global Network, Security agencies, co- volunteers and other comrades.
