The Nigeria Police Force has honoured the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, with Appreciation Award.
The Award was conferred on Oba Adenugba in recognition of his unflinching support to the success of the official launch of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
Great Achiever Magazine reports that Nigeria Police Force launched POCACOV at WosAm Arena, Ago-Iwoye, on Thursday, 3rd March, 2022.
In his welcome address, the National Coordinator of POCACOV, CSP Ebere Amaraizu, said the Nigeria Police Force was committed to ending the menace of cultism and other vices in various communities through POCACOV.
Amaraizu said POCACOV is an initiative different from core law enforcement duties which is aimed at saving the youths from the dreaded claws of cultism and other related crimes, adding that POCACOV becomes a child of necessity to combat the spread of cultism and other crimes across the spheres of society.
He said there are evidences to show that tertiary institutions are no longer the only hosts of cultism, as it has gradually penetrated other areas such as primary and secondary schools, while artisans, commercial drivers, vulcanizers, butchers, mechanics and others started joining the evil group without knowing why they are there.
Amaraizu concluded that the initiative is a community driven programme in line with the tenets of Community Oriented Policing with the purpose of encouraging the involvement of the community and relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at the occasion, the Baba Oba of Ago-Iwoye, Maj. Gen. S.A Awosanya (rtd), commended the police for the laudable initiative, saying that the launch of POCACOV in Ago-Iwoye could not have come at a better time.
Awosanya was of the opinion that political leaders and parents should be blamed for the involvement of youths in cultism as they have failed in their duties to train their children, but prefer to run after money.
He therefore emphasised the need for national reorientation that will drive the thinking of the youths away from crime and criminality, while he charged parents to be more responsible to the upbringing of their children.
Gen. Awosanya, who noted that the increasing crime rate among the youths is a time bomb, urged the government to urgently address the problem of unemployment so that the youths can be gainfully engaged in profitable ventures.
He expressed his readiness to support POCACOV initiative at all times, while he donated a huge amount of money for the book that was launched at the occasion.
In his own remarks, the Asiwaju Onigbagbo and Olori Omooba of Ago-Iwoye, Prince (Dr) Feyisayo Soyewo, commended Oba Adenugba for his various efforts to combat cultism in particular and insecurity in Ago-Iwoye.
Prince Soyewo, a foremost community leader, recalled several pragmatic steps taken by Ebumawe in the past to ensure that Ago-Iwoye was safe and secured, adding that the unrelentless efforts of the Royal Father undoubtedly culminated in the launch of POCACOV in Ago-Iwoye.
He further pledged his continued support to all initiatives aimed at bringing peace and security to the community, and also donated huge sum of money for the book that was launched at the occasion.
In his closing remarks, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba expressed his sincere appreciation to the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for acknowledging his numerous interventions in the area of security of life and property in his domain which led to the launch of POCACOV in the town.
The Royal Father gave assurance that he will not relent in partnering with the police to ensure a safer society.
Oba Adenugba also thanked the police for the honour bestowed on him with the Appreciation Award, noting that the Award will serve as a motivation for him to continue to do more.
Highpoint of the occasion was the public presentation of the book, "Nigerian Youth In Cultism And Social Vices...A Moral Guide Book", which was published by POCACOV.
As part of its support for the POCACOV initiative, Ogun State Ministry of Education approved that the book be made available for students in the state.
Earlier, a Lecture titled, Cultism: A growing menace and threat to Education, was delivered by Dr Musa Adebayo Obalola, Ag. Dean Student Affairs, University of Lagos, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
Present at the occasion were various stakeholders including market men and women, artisans, Youth organisations, Security organisations, students of secondary schools and traditional rulers.
The Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Alex Onabanjo was represented by Architect Fowode, who delivered a goodwill message, while Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole was represented by ACP Babatunde Sodimu who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of his principal.
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