Delta students agree to embrace moral values, shun cultism

Students of Delta state origin have agreed to embrace moral values and shun cultism and other social vices in the society.

The students took the decision on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation and awareness programme, tagged “Delta State Student’s Summit”.The programme which had its theme as: “The Role of Student Leaders Towards Curtailing the Menace of Cultism and Other Social Vices”, was held in Warri.

The event was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student’s Affairs, in collaboration with the Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).Mr Bashorun Ogieh, Managing Director of DESOPADEC, who chaired the event, noted that cultism had become a worrisome phenomenon in the society.Ogieh, who was represented by Mrs Ewomazino Duku, urged the student leaders to redouble their efforts to re-orientate students on the need to shun all forms of social vices.

He also urged the students to channel their youthful energy into providing solutions to contemporary societal challenges bedeviling the country.“There is no time in contemporary history where the issue of cultism and social vices has assumed a frightening dimension as in our current dispensation.

“This has sadly degenerated into a sinister cartel to unleash heinous crimes such as rape, banditry, public harassment or bullying, homicide and ritual killings among a cocktail of offences.“The menace of cultism as it is turning out today among Nigerian youths has eaten deep and festered sorely into the social fabric of the national community, such that social disturbances have become a familiar and normal situation in the country,” he said.

Ogieh remarked that cultism had increased degradation of values and made most of the Nigerian youths to lose focus on their academic pursuits and future.“This is where student leaders have to play a vital role of mind reorientation.

“The onus lies in the hands of student leaders to lead their fellow students to the right path in the overall interest of the society,” Ogieh said.Also, Mr Ezekiel Okoh, Special Assistant to the Governor on Student’s Affairs, said Nigerians daily contend with enemies not armed with rifles or nuclear weapons but dangerous enough to wipe out an entire generation.“Our media is awash with anti-social vices which include: cultism, drug abuse, internet fraud, prostitution, examination malpractice, ritual killings, among others,” he said.

Okoh urged the students to shun cultism and other social vices and channel their energy into productive use. (NAN)