In a bid to inculcate good values and virtues among students, the 05 Initiative has taken the campaign on drug abuse and cultism to publiic secondary schools in Delta state.
Wife of the state governor and founder of the 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, who flagged off the “Youth On A Mission”, tagged “Save The Future Now” at West End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba said she was desirous to ensure that social vices were eradicated from public schools across the state.
She enjoined students who have found themselves enmeshed in the grip of social vices, especially cultism to renounce their membership and always meditate on the counseling given during the “Youth On A Mission” programme in order for them to encounter God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Speaking to the students, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie disclosed that peer pressure against acceptable norms and values is evil and advised that students who engaged in evil activities should navigate from them because it is an individual decision.
The Principal of West End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Mrs. Felicia Aghwadoma thanked Dame Okowa for the initiative which she said came at the right time, adding that the “Youth On A Mission” programme is a confirmation of her renewed efforts to stamp out cultism in the school.
In his counseling lecture, Pastor Austin Okorodudu explained the ills of cultism, drug abuse, pornography, sex before marriage and bad peer groups to the students and urged them to quickly do away with them and embrace Jesus Christ.
He told them to make up their mind to change from their negative lifestyles and jettison anything that could affect their academic pursuits, saying that “Young people have unknowingly sacrificed their lives on the alter of cultism.”
Also, Pastor Julius Ejedenawe who gave a mind boggling testimony of the effects of engaging in unproductive ventures, such as cultism and drug abuse prayed for the students who appeared willing to shun the tendencies and involvement in the unholy acts.
Highpoint of the event was the unplanned presentation of portrait artworks to the First Lady, Dame Edith Okowa by a Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) student, Andrew Young Okonofua with cheers and admiration.
