Group Honours Individuals For Their Contributions To Humanity, Okpanam

By Magnus Emuji/Chukwudi Asoya

The Anti-Cultism and Drug Abuse Initiative , championed by the Deputy Commander, Nigerian Forest and Security Service (NFSS), Okpanam Division, Comrade Promise Momah Utomi, has rewarded some individuals in Okpanam for their unwavering commitment towards the upliftment of humanity and development of the community.

The awardees are the Chairman of Obodogba youths, Comrade Chukwuma Abumujor and the immediate past chairman of Obodogba youths, High Comr. Christopher Agali and the President of Okpanam Youth Organization, Comrade Lucky Okolo and the Founder of Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu Foundation, Comrade Charles Obiodogwu among others.

Speaking to journalists after the launching of the 1,000 notebooks and presentation of award ceremony, one of the recipients of the award, Comrade Chukwuma Abumujor , who said that eradication of drug abuse and cultism in any society was a collective responsibility, noted that drug addicts and cultists end up ruining their lives without realizing their potentials in life .

Abumujor stressed the importance of uplifting the youths and effect positive changes in the community, especially in the lives of the elders .

For his part, former chairman of Obodogba youths, High Comrade Christopher Agali lauded Comrade Utomi for the initiative and pledged his continued support for the course so as to bring issues of cultism and drug abuse in the community to the barest minimum .

Agali explained that he had been receiving award of recognition from various organizations, saying that he so much cherished the honour from Comrade Utomi’s Anti-Cultism and Drug Abuse Initiative.

Other awardees, who spoke including Comrade Ashinze Charles Obiodogwu and the President of Okpanam Youth Organization, Comrade. Lucky Okolo described the efforts of Comrade Utomi in the campaign against cultism and drug abuse as a welcome development, assuring that they would sustain their support for such initiative.

Obiodogwu particularly stated that the time for humanity was all about charity and not just when one has money to give out to the needy alone , even as he and Okolo thanked the founder of the Anti-Cultism and Drug Abuse Initiative for finding them worthy of the honour.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander, Nigerian Forest and Security Service, Okpanam Division, Comrade Uchenna Nwaedozie said that event was designed to recognize kind-hearted individuals for their efforts in driving meaningful development to the community.

In his remarks, the Director-General of Anti-Xultism and Drug Abuse Initiative, Comrade Promise Momah Utomi reiterated the determination of his organization to encourage and motivate the youths to shun drug abuse and cultism in the community .

Utomi emphasized that drug abuse and cultism had damaged the lives of many youths in the community to the extent that they do not have value addition to themselves and the society, just as he appreciated the awardees for their ceaseless support to his Initiative.

He disclosed that the notebooks would be distributed to pupils and students of Mgbala model primary school, Umegbali primary school, Okpanam High secondary school anc Oruchi secondary school all in Okpanam.

The representative of Okpanam students, Augustine Ugochukwu Nwabuaku presented a paper on the dangers of cultism and drug abuse.