Kogi State Deputy Governor lauds Kogi varsity alumni on anti

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja has applauded the leadership of Kogi State chapter of the Kogi State University Alumni Association on its decision to carry out a campaign against cultism in all higher institutions in the State.

He made the comment on Thursday in Lokoja when he played host to the leadership of the association which paid him a courtesy visit to inform him of plans in that direction.

In that light, the association had itemized its plans to advocate for the ban of motorcycles as means of transportation within campuses, recruitment of secret students security among the students, closing down of short cuts in and out of campuses among other measures.

Chief Onoja welcomed the idea which he said was in line with the intention of Governor Yahaya Bello who has given management and stakeholders in all tertiary institutions in the state till the end of the month to stem the tide of the trend.

The Deputy Governor wondered what the attraction to cultism is despite its obvious disadvantages and enjoined the association to design their campaign messages in such a way that it would dwell on the need to value lives of fellow human beings..

Chief Onoja said life is precious and that the students need to be given the necessary orientation to be able to see life as sacred and desist from taking them needlessly without remorse.

A spokesman of the body told Chief Onoja that the major deaths that took place in the past few years affected the state’s citizens majorly and not outsiders and that it called for serious reflection, thus the campaign.

He noted that they have visited various stakeholders including media organisations to intimate them on their plans and seek support for the success of what the project.

Other measures being recommended by the association also involve orientation of both old, new students and staff of the institutions, campus road shows, distribution of booklets that frown at cultism, mounting of billboards in strategic areas on campuses and the introduction of emergency call centers on campus.

The Deputy Governor assured the association of his support and pledged to help produce all the awareness materials needed for the campaign, and contribute financially towards its success.