South East: NOA campaigns against cultism, other social vices in tertiary institutions

 

By Joel Onuoha

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has begun sensitisation campaign against social vices including rape, cultism, violence and drug abuse  in tertiary institutions in the South-East zone of the country.

Dr Garba Abari, Director-General of the Agency said at the flagging-off of the campaign in Echara, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi on Tuesday that the programme known as "Campus Focus" was to reorientate students on the need to curtail such crimes.

Abari, represented by the Agency's Director in Ebonyi, Dr Desmond Onwo said the emphasis on tertiary institution was supported by the fact that the youth contribute over 60 per cent of the labour force, which drives the process of governance and socio-development.

According to him, this is a continuous nationwide sensitisation campaign aimed at the attitudinal re-orientation of students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

"The Agency has over the years implemented same in over 50 higher institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

"The programme has become highly imperative due to the myriads of vices that have bedeviled the Nigerian tertiary institutions which include; cultism, sexual and gender violence, rape, examination malpractice and alarming trend of suicide amongst students," the Director-General stated. .

He described youth as strength of any nation and noted that the sensitisation exercise was importance in the fight against all forms of social vices in the country.

"NOA objectives is to re-awake the consciousness of students of tertiary institutions on the need embrace our national core values. 

"It is to curtail the rising trend of social vices in Higher schools," he explained.

Prof Benedict Mbam, Provost, Ebonyi College of Education, Ikwo commended NOA on the programme and pledged support in the nation's efforts in curtailing crimes.

Mbam, represented by his Deputy, Dr Francis Azunku described the state of insecurity in the country as worrisome and urged the students to take advantage of the programme and make good use of it.

Mr Chukwuma Nwali, President of Student Union Government (SUG) of the College thanked NOA for choosing their school as a start up point.

"We are happy to witness and participate in the programme, is a welcome development to us as students. I urged every students to supports the National values and steer clear criminality in Ebonyi, South-East and Nigeria at large," Nwali said.