Bolatito Mercy
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV), in collaboration with the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, has sensitised students against cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, violence and other social vices.
The programme, themed “Vice-Free Campus: Taking a Firm Stand Against Cultism, Drug Abuse and Other Social Vices Among Youths,” brought together students, school authorities, security personnel, medical professionals and addiction specialists.
The event featured counselling, a free medical check-up by the Dr. Diya Medical Team, courtesy of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), and an award presentation to the Provost in recognition of the institution’s support for the initiative.
Speaking at the programme, the State Coordinator of LSSTF-CACCOV, Dr. Moses Oladimeji, thanked the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, for supporting the youth-focused campaign.
Oladimeji urged students to make responsible choices and resist negative peer influence. He illustrated his message with the story of a brilliant young Nigerian, Mayomi Fiwashewa, whose promising academic future, according to him, was derailed after becoming involved with a cult group.
He said Fiwashewa, who excelled in WAEC and JAMB, was eventually expelled from his institution following a violent clash between rival cult groups and later became involved in armed robbery.
“He was brilliant, but he was not intelligent,” Oladimeji said, stressing that academic success must be accompanied by wisdom and sound decision-making.
He urged the students to reject cultism, drug abuse and other destructive behaviours and become ambassadors for a vice-free campus.
The Acting Provost of FCE (Technical), Akoka, Dr. Isaac Oluwatoyin Miller, welcomed the initiative, stressing that academic excellence must go together with good character, discipline and responsible citizenship.
“As an institution entrusted with the education and development of young people, we recognise that academic excellence must go hand-in-hand with good character, discipline and responsible citizenship,” Miller said.
The Divisional Police Officer, Sabo Police Station, CSP Kehinde Ebinisi, urged students to see the police as partners in protecting their future.
He warned that criminal activities could result in academic disruption, trauma, family disgrace and other long-term consequences, while encouraging students to report suspicious activities through confidential channels.
“When you see something, you say something so that the police can do something,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Diya Ololade, Executive Director and Deputy Director of Clinical Services at Atlantis Pediatric and Multi-Specialist Hospital, warned students about the dangers of substance abuse and self-medication.
“Substance abuse doesn’t start in a dark alley. It starts with a pill, a drug, a drink, offered by a friend during exam week or at a harmless party or get-together,” he said.
He identified peer pressure, academic stress, loneliness, relationship problems and the desire to belong as factors that could expose young people to drug abuse.
A Certified Addiction Professional, Dr. Adetolu Isaac Olatunde, also cautioned students against assuming they could always control their drug use, noting that dependence could eventually make quitting difficult.
Mrs. Ibiba Odili, CEO of Phenomenal Strides Foundation, urged students to take personal responsibility for preventing drug abuse by building their lives around discipline, positive relationships and strong values.
The programme underscored the importance of combining security enforcement, education, medical intervention and counselling in the fight against social vices.
LSSTF-CACCOV therefore urged the students to reject cultism, drug abuse, criminality and negative peer influence and make choices that will protect their education and future.
