The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) and the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have sensitised students to cultism and drug abuse as part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration.

The programme, held on Wednesday at the Iganmu Senior Secondary School, focused on educating students about the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, violence and other social vices.

The initiative also aimed to encourage students to embrace positive societal values, focus on their education and maintain responsible behaviour.

Speaking at the event, the Ojora of Ijora and Apapa Kingdom, Abdulfatai Aromire, urged the students to remain disciplined.

He was represented by the Bashorun of Ojora-Apapa Kingdom, Hakeem Ojora.

He also advised the students to uphold the core values of integrity, mutual respect and good character in their daily activities.

Also speaking, the chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Jimoh Saliu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable youth development and active crime prevention through community collaboration.

The state Lagos State Commissioner, Tijani Fatai, represented by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Orile Division, Ogunleti Phillips, said the initiative reflected the police preventive strategy.

According to him, the advocacy programme was designed to guide students away from social vices and encourage them to become responsible citizens.

The Lagos State Coordinator of POCACOV, Olivia Ugochukwu, charged the students to embrace discipline and avoid negative peer influence.

She warned them against involvement in cultism, cyber fraud, violence, substance abuse and other harmful activities capable of destroying their future.

“Students must remain focused on their education and avoid bad associations that can derail their ambitions and aspirations,” she said.

Also, the Vice Principal of Saro-Iganmu Senior Secondary School, Paseda Bamidele, representing Education District VI, advised the students to shun violence and maintain good conduct.

A mental health expert, Akinlade Hezekiah, also sensitised the students to the dangers of drug abuse on their mental well-being.

He urged them to remain committed to their academic pursuits and avoid reckless activities capable of jeopardising their future career opportunities.

The event featured interactive sessions, with students participating in discussions and engagements with the guest speakers.

The programme ended with the students taking the formal POCACOV pledge, committing themselves to good conduct, responsible behaviour and exemplary citizenship.

The closing discipline pledge was administered by Rebecca Benjamin. 

(NAN)