The Nigeria Police Force and the Cross River State Government have strengthened collaboration on youth mentorship and crime prevention with the appointment of Governor Bassey Otu’s aide to lead a key anti-cultism campaign in the state.
Otu’s Special Adviser on Interventions, Dr Michael Abuo, was appointed Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Social Vices (POCACOV).
POCACOV is a nationwide initiative of the Inspector-General of Police aimed at combating cultism, drug abuse and other social vices through public enlightenment, advocacy, mentorship, and community partnerships.
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The appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command, Sunday Eitokpah, shortly after the Inspector-General of Police flagged off the POCACOV campaign in Abuja.
According to the police, the appointment is a reflection of the confidence in Abuo’s leadership capacity to coordinate stakeholders and drive the campaign effectively across the eighteen local government areas of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
Accepting the appointment in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Abuo commended the Inspector-General for adopting a proactive approach to crime prevention, noting that public enlightenment and mentorship remain critical tools for reducing criminality among young people.
He said, “It is always easier and better to prevent than to cure. I consider it an honour to be selected to drive this initiative in Cross River State. It is a responsibility that I cannot take lightly. I am committedTo work with all stakeholders to make the campaign successful.”
Abuo, who also serves as the Cross River State Coordinator of the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), urged youths to steer clear of cultism, drug abuse and other harmful activities.
He pointed out that young Nigerians possess the intelligence and potential to succeed in politics and other endeavours without engaging in cultism or other social vices.
Abuo stated, “Anyone who aligns with positive values can venture into politics, impact lives and succeed without engaging in cultism or other social vices. So, I am going to ensure that this advocacy reaches every community in Cross River State.
“Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda emphasised the overall well-being of citizens especially the youths. In fact, there are several intervention programmes lined up by this administration to engage young people positively and as chairman of this campaign, we will achieve more successes.”
The POCACOV campaign is designed to bring together government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and community groups to promote responsible citizenship, discourage social vices and foster sustainable peace in communities across Cross River State.
The collaboration is expected to deepen community-based crime prevention efforts, while providing mentorship opportunities for young people as part of broader initiativesTo promote peace, security and social development in the state.
