By joshua 
Cultism: Don’t Make Yourself Tool For Political Gangsterism, CP Tells Edo Youths
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika on Tuesday, appealed to the youths in the state not to make themselves ready made tools for political gangsterism rather than being an agent of positive change in the state.
He made the appeal at the 2nd inauguration ceremony of the National Executive Council of Nigerian Students and Youth Association (NISAYA) held in Benin.
Recall that the state has witnessed a series of cult related violence and the arrest of a large number of them in recent times in the state.
Agbonika, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, ACP Innocent Nkeamalara, said cultism has never done anybody any good but pains and sorrow.
“There is nothing to gain in cultism. Don’t make yourself ready made tool for political gangsterism. Do not engage in any act of violence. Be responsible to yourself. Be responsible to the society. You live in a world full of opportunities and possibilities”, CP Ogbonika said.
On the part of the Keynote speaker, Mr. Neville Obakhedo, lecturer, department of Political Science, University of Benin, while speaking on the theme: “Combating cultism and youth insecurity through empowerment and powerful engagement”, blamed the whole problems on greed.
He added that if Nigerians want to get themselves extricated from the chains of corruption, kidnapping or drug abuse, they need to learn from the history of other countries.
For the president of NISAYA, Amb.Lawrence Ikehi, the association is saddled with the responsibility of charting a new path of reconciliation and redirection for the great youths and students of our great nation, Nigeria.
On the part of Mr. Osarodion Osagie, founder, Godsent foundation and patron to NISAYA, said this is a perfect time for young people in Nigeria to come together to join hands in nation building because it is a collective effort to make our country a beautiful one adding that the government cannot do it alone.
Also speaking, member representing Edo central senatorial district, Nigerian Youth Parliament Ikhili Iziegbe, encouraged the girl-child to be actively involved in the nation’s political sphere rather than taken the back seat.
She however assured NISAYA of adequate cooperation for it to achieve its set target in driving the positive course of the youth.
On the part of the secretary board of trustee, NISAYA, Osamudiamen Ogbidi, said the whole essence of all of the association is to be a freedom fighter for the less privileged in the society.