In the face of mounting global tension due to the escalation of violent crimes and the felt need for initiatives targeted at achieving a peaceful, free and egalitarian human society, the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State on Student Affairs, Comrade Otobong Aquila Akpan has charged members of the media community to rise to the forefront of the campaign to weed our schools of cultism and other violence related activities. She has also commended the efforts of Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI) over the years and promised to partner its emerging School to School Peace Initiative, which seeks to feature an integrated anti cultism awareness program in secondary schools located in Akwa Ibom State.
Comrade Akpan made these assertions yesterday (Wednesday) during a press conference adressed by Comrade Oliver Cromwell, Executive Director of School to School Peace Initiative on the Inauguration of its Strategic School to School Anti Cult/
And we must all act in concert and forward march", adding that, 'in line with the rebirth philosophy of Dakkada Campaign, I can anticipate and assure of the full support and backing of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel in the renewed crusade to wipe cultism off our schools system'.
Earlier in the Conference, Comrade Oliver Cromwell had stated that the School to School Peace Initiative has naturally evolved from the Peace in Campus Initiative so as to expand its scope and services to secondary schools 'which serve as breeding ground for various cult groups who currently number more than 350 in the State'. To Mr. Cromwell, "From our over two decades field experience in the fight against cultism, we have discovered that many cultists are joining from secondary schools, thus to achieve a cult free society, we must intervene and cut the supply routes, hence our formal inauguration of this inclusive anti cultism advocacy project in Akwa Ibom Secondary schools, an endeavour we hope shall sustain our collaboration with the State Government".
Earlier in the Conference, Comrade Oliver Cromwell had stated that the School to School Peace Initiative has naturally evolved from the Peace in Campus Initiative so as to expand its scope and services to secondary schools 'which serve as breeding ground for various cult groups who currently number more than 350 in the State'. To Mr. Cromwell, "From our over two decades field experience in the fight against cultism, we have discovered that many cultists are joining from secondary schools, thus to achieve a cult free society, we must intervene and cut the supply routes, hence our formal inauguration of this inclusive anti cultism advocacy project in Akwa Ibom Secondary schools, an endeavour we hope shall sustain our collaboration with the State Government".
In a response to NEWSLINK, the fiery anti cult crusader admitted that there is a seeming upsurge in membership, operations and high command of numerous cult groups operating in the State. He nevertheless, blamed the frightening trend on the loose political system which does not respect the integrity and sanctity of public office, asserting that, "henceforth cultists and their patrons shall not be allowed to occupy public offices both elective/ appointive".
Continuing, he said, "yes it is true, political actors and other electoral interest groups do arm cultists during elections, and do seldom retrieve such arms after elections, thus leaving sensitive ammunition in the armoury of gangsters and untrained army", "to walk out of this", he added, "The security agents must be strengthed and supported to weed off cultists and other associated violent gangs from the larger polity.
And it starts from the secondary schools, their breeding ground".
Other National Officers of the School to School Peace Initiative who were present at the press conference were, Mr. Alumiina Chinwe, MAURID Polytechnic, MBIASO, Mr. Isiagu Kenneth, University of Uyo, Uyo and Comedians Comedians Comrade Emmanuel Jones of University of Abuja, Abuja.
Other National Officers of the School to School Peace Initiative who were present at the press conference were, Mr. Alumiina Chinwe, MAURID Polytechnic, MBIASO, Mr. Isiagu Kenneth, University of Uyo, Uyo and Comedians Comedians Comrade Emmanuel Jones of University of Abuja, Abuja.
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