Kehinde Adeleye
The Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, under the leadership of Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, recently organized a significant campaign and workshop against cultism and drug abuse. The event, which saw collaboration from reputable organizations such as Crime Prevention Partners (CPP), Tag International, Cleen Foundation, and Brighter Future, along with the Nigeria Police Force and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), aimed to combat the rising prevalence of these social vices in society.
Held at the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Secretariat with the theme ‘Sustainable War Against Cultism and Drug Abuse – Community/Government Roles,’ the sensitization campaign provided insightful solutions from both community and government perspectives.
Attendees were impressed by the quality of information shared and emphasized the importance of united efforts in tackling these challenges.
During the workshop, Dr. Adetolu Olatunde, a global trainer in drug demand reduction, highlighted the detrimental effects of substance abuse on individuals and society at large.
He emphasized the need for collective action to address the issues effectively.
‘The substance stimulates the rate of metabolism and affects the feeling, which in turn triggers negative attitudes. Cultism and drug abuse are inter-related as they are induced by the consumption of substance.
The substance causes the brain to become erratic and unstable, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable and comprehensive campaign against vices. Collaboration between all community stakeholders and the government is crucial in combatting these issues, as highlighted by Dr. Adetolu.
Mr. Innocent Abinah, an Assistant Commander at NDLEA, stressed the need for collaboration between community stakeholders and security agencies to effectively eliminate vices. Chairman CPP Ifako-Ijaiye, Mr. Jude Ndoh (Esq), urged caution in the community due to widespread hard drugs and cultism, emphasizing united efforts from the government and stakeholders to prevent youth involvement.
The focus of CPP in Ifako-Ijaiye lies in intervention programs to engage pupils and advocacy among religious groups, with a call for government action.
The event highlighted the urgent need for a collective effort to eradicate substance abuse and cultism from the community.
Mr. Adeyemi Adebayo, a Director at the Ministry of Education, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in the fight against vices.
He emphasized the importance of family structure and cultural values in instilling positive values in the younger generation to combat issues like cultism and substance abuse. He called for commitment from various stakeholders including families, schools, religious centers, and the community to fight against these challenges. Key figures from Ifako-Ijaiye community attended the event, sharing their perspectives and offering support to the cause.
The event was well-attended by leaders, including representatives from different organizations, community members, and government officials who pledged their support for the initiative.
The Ifako-Ijaiye Council Chairman’s Special Adviser on Security and Special Duties also praised the organizers for their efforts and assured them of the government’s support in line with the administration’s agenda.
