Abia: NDDC Launch Anti-Cultism, Drug Abuse Campaign in Secondary Schools

The Niger Delta Development Commission, in collaboration with education stakeholders and security agencies, has intensified anti-cultism and drug abuse sensitisation campaigns across secondary schools in Abia State as part of efforts to curb rising social vices among young people.

The initiative, which targets students in various secondary schools across the state, focuses on educating young people about the dangers of cultism, substance abuse and peer pressure.

According to reports, the campaign involved sensitisation lectures, counselling sessions and interactive engagements designed to encourage students to adopt positive lifestyles and avoid criminal activities capable of affecting their future.

Schools that reportedly participated in the programme include Girls Secondary Commercial School, Aba, Osusu Community Secondary School, Ngwa High School and Government Technical College Abayi.

Officials involved in the exercise warned that drug abuse and cultism continue to pose serious threats to the mental health, academic performance and social development of students across the Niger Delta region.

The campaign, themed around prevention and youth empowerment, also featured contributions from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other partner organisations advocating early intervention and sustained awareness programmes in schools.

Speakers at the sensitisation programme urged students to resist peer pressure, avoid illicit substances and become ambassadors against cultism and drug abuse within their communities.

The organisers further stressed that tackling drug abuse requires collective action involving parents, schools, community leaders and law enforcement agencies.

The renewed campaign in Abia reflects growing concerns among authorities over increasing exposure of teenagers to cult-related activities, drug abuse and youth violence in different parts of the country.