Bayelsa: NGO holds anti-cultism, drug abuse sensitization for youths

A non-governmental organization, Kiosate Boy-Child Foundation, has carried out an anti-cultism and drug abuse sensitization at Biogbolo community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state. 

The programme with the theme “Youths For Maximum Impact” which took place at the community town hall, had in attendantce over five hundred youths. 

In a welcome address, founder of the NGO, Lady Stella Doumu lamented the increased rate of drug abuse, cultism, and other social vices among youths, saying the essence of the visit to the community was to enlightene the youths against the dangers of intake of drugs.

According to Lady Doumu, the sensitization is one of the mentorship programmes that the organization organises for community youths across the state, while assuring that the group is committed to making as many impacts as possible, especially at the grassroots level. 

Speaking on the effects of drug abuse, a resource person, Mr Ene Efere, described youths as future leaders and urged them to refrain from drug abuse as it poses danger to their body.

Mr Efere also admonished youths to be wary of their friends, insisting that the upsurge of drug abuse, cultism and other social vices are attributable to peer pressure.

Dwelling on the topic “Youths and Relations for Maximum Impact”, member of the NGO, Mrs Irene Mukereh lamented that, over the years, emphasis has been placed on the girl-child, neglecting the boy-child and called for a balance in attention.

 Mrs Mukereh, who said the foundation was open to partnership with organizations, towards the advancement of the boy-child, also advised against parents’ unwillingness to get involved in the affairs of the boy-child. 

Speaking on “maximizing your potentials” another Member of the foundation, Mr Terimoh Enebobraeyi said youths are endowed with potentials and urged them to discover and make good use of their talents instead of indulging in activities that may jeopardize their future.

Mr Enebobraeyi also maintained that the only way for youths to contribute their quota for the development of the society was for them to shun all negative tendencies considered counter-productive and acquire skills.

Earlier, Biogbolo Youth President, Comrade Ben Karibo-Wonikizibe, had described the program as apt and timely, and thanked the foundation for enlightening them on the imperative of saying no to cultism and drug abuse.

Comrade Karibo-Wonikizibe, also thanked the NGO for giving the boy-child a pride of place, while appealing for the extension of the sensitization programme to other communities in the state.