To curb cultism in schools, Governor Udom Emmanuel has banned schoolchildren older than 12 years old from being admitted into secondary schools in Akwa Ibom.

The directive is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo.

“Investigation has revealed that the surge is caused mainly by over-aged students who are on a mission of mass recruitment of students into cult groups.

“However, any student above this age with a genuine reason will have their parents sign an undertaking of good behaviour before their admission,” he said.

He added that the governor also charged council members to mobilise people to participate in the Enumeration Area Demarcation and Continuous Voter Registration.

Mr Ememobong said the council also declared August 21 as the state’s ‘coconut day.’

He added that the government would plant about 300,000 coconut seedlings to boost coconut production in preparation for the start of operation of the coconut oil refinery.

(NAN)