Stakeholders warn Lagos students against cultism, drug abuse

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu and Modupe Olorundare

Stakeholders in the education sector have urged secondary school students in Lagos Island to resist peer pressure, shun cultism and substance abuse, and promptly report threats to trusted adults.

They gave the advice on Wednesday at the Annual Lecture and Mentoring Workshop organised by Eko Boys to Men.

The programme, with with the theme “R.O.T.E.C.T: Prevent Outreach for Teens Endangered by Cultism and Substance Abuse Today”, focused on prevention, rehabilitation, positive relationships and character development.

Mr Henry Shofowora, Chairman, Welfare and Membership Committee of the association, said the initiative aimed to give back to Lagos Island by helping young people make responsible choices.

He urged students to identify positive qualities in their friends, noting that supportive relationships could improve academic performance, build confidence and encourage responsible behaviour.

“Real brotherhood offers a future, not a weapon,” Shofowora said.

He urged students to practise positive self-affirmation, remain accountable to guardians and resist negative influences.

He encouraged them to embrace entrepreneurship, technology and practical skills to develop resourcefulness and prepare for future opportunities.

Shofowora warned that substance abuse could cause health complications, emotional instability and poor concentration, while misusing herbal mixtures and prescription medicines could endanger young people.

He also encouraged students to develop communication skills, describing confident speaking and effective engagement as valuable assets for careers in sales, marketing and other fields.

During a panel session, Mr Opeoluwa Taiwo, Executive Director of The African Initiative, urged students to support peers experiencing substance-use problems without stigmatising them.

Taiwo said students should acknowledge affected friends’ difficulties, show understanding and help them access professional assistance, including rehabilitation where necessary.

He cited cases of individuals whose academic potential and social confidence had suffered because of drug use, stressing that academic achievement alone offered no protection.

Mr Adeleke Salaudeen, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Lagos Island Area Command, warned students against forced recruitment into cult groups and advised them to avoid threatening individuals.

Salaudeen cautioned against accepting invitations that could expose young people to drugs and cult-related activities, urging vigilance and avoidance of situations threatening their safety.

He encouraged students to report suspicious activities and threats to teachers, principals, school security committees or other trusted adults.

The panellists emphasised that security was a shared responsibility, urging students to embrace the principle: “When you see something, say something.”

They advised students threatened by cult groups to seek help from trusted teachers, religious leaders, relatives and community members, particularly when approaching strict parents seemed difficult.

Mr Abiodun Olabijoye, Principal of Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, said confidence-building began at home, stressing parents’ responsibility to nurture self-belief without encouraging arrogance.

Ayinla Muheez, a mascot performer who spoke about his interactions with prisoners, warned that drug-related offences and cultism could lead to imprisonment, stigma and employment difficulties.

He recounted the experience of a former prisoner who struggled to secure employment after conviction and repeatedly offended before studying criminology and rebuilding his family life.

Charles Chibuzor, a substance-abuse survivor, shared his experience, warning students against experimenting with drugs or yielding to destructive peer pressure.

Chibuzor said early exposure to cigarettes at home and pressure from friends led him to cannabis use, other drugs and selling substances in school.

He recounted suffering severe withdrawal complications, including bleeding from his nose and ears, after a blood vessel ruptured, requiring hospital treatment.

Chibuzor said surviving the ordeal prompted him to leave the harmful environment and begin rebuilding his life.

Urging students to make responsible choices and establish positive friendships, he declared: “Say no to drugs, stay smart, don’t start.”

Earlier, Mr Wale Adeyekun, the project coordinator, welcomed participating school officials, students, security personnel and other stakeholders, acknowledging their contributions to promoting safer choices among young people.

The workshop also featured discussions on public speaking, with panellists recommending preparation, listening to news and experienced speakers, and learning from mentors to improve confidence.

Eko Boys to Men Association (EBTM) is a Lagos Island-based social organisation that promotes youth development through mentorship, career guidance and skills acquisition.

The association seeks to help young people develop discipline, confidence, positive values and practical skills needed for academic achievement and responsible adulthood.

Its initiatives bring students into contact with experienced professionals and mentors, encouraging them to make informed career choices and contribute positively to society.

The association has also used school-based workshops to address challenges facing young people and promote constructive alternatives to negative social influences.

Participants at the workshop stressed that preventing cultism and substance abuse required cooperation among families, schools, security agencies and communities, alongside early intervention and access to rehabilitation. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo