Deputy Chairman Cautions Youth Against cultism

Vice Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Caroline Bienemibo Ekine, has urged youths to shun drugs, cultism and other social vices, as no excuse could justify indulgence in them.
Speaking with The Tide in Opobo town last Monday in an interview, Mrs Ekine said many youths had cut short their dreams by getting involved in such vices.
She stressed that some of the vices could lead to serious health disorder, including cancer, while others unleash negative effects such as acute panic reaction, anxiety attacks, fear and loss of self-control.
According to her, “no excuse can justify your indulgence in those vices. “No matter the peer pressure, emotional challenge or psychology issues you may be facing, I admonished you to say no to drugs, cultism and other vices.”
She maintained that one moment of indiscretion is enough to ruin one’s life, expressing hope that when renounced, there would be radical transformation in the lives of youths of this nation.
The council boss explained that the journey toward attaining great heights begins with a resolve to take something out of the experiences shared at any drugs and cult-related debates and national fora.
Ekine said the state government, in conjunction with tertiary institutions, had also given students a platform to challenge themselves to face the future by offering them practical classes through the ready, set, work initiative.
She, however, stated that she was aware of the establishment of a Career Development Centre put in place for the benefit of all youths in order to produce enjoyable and marketable graduates for national and global relevance which discourages them from drugs and cultism among others.
She asserts: “The onus now lies with each one of you to make the best use of these opportunities.”
Mrs Ekine used the opportunity to commend Governor Nyesom Wike for his passion for the well-being of young adults, adding that the governor had over the years consistently supported youths especially the indigent in the state with several scholarship awards aimed at stimulating them to discover their potentialities.

Bethel Toby