Women have been urged to inculcate strong moral values in their children from an early age as a critical step toward preventing drug abuse, cultism, and other social vices among youths.
This call was made during a paper presentation by Favour Ogbogi titled “The Role of Women in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Cultism to Promote Public Safety in Elebele Community” at a youth sensitisation programme held in Elebele Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State..
The event was organised by the Elebele Youth Movement in partnership with Spaces for Change and Advocacy Centre, with support from the Open Society Foundation.
Ogbogi emphasised the pivotal role of mothers as the first teachers in every home, noting that they shape the character of their children before society does.
“A woman carries life, nurtures, and builds. When she stands against social vices, change begins,” she said, stressing that the fight against drug abuse and cultism starts from the home, schools, and communities, not just government institutions.
She described drug abuse as the misuse of substances that harm an individual’s health and behaviour, while cultism, she noted, involves secret groups that often promote violence and unlawful activities, luring young people with false promises of power and belonging.
According to her, both drug abuse and cultism are destructive traps that ruin the future of young people, adding that many victims are often driven by insecurity, loneliness, or the search for identity.
Ogbogi urged women to take up roles as mothers, educators, community leaders, and role models by teaching moral values, monitoring their children’s activities, and speaking out against harmful behaviours.
She further encouraged women to create safe spaces for open communication with children, organise awareness programmes, and support rehabilitation efforts for affected youths.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, commended the Elebele community for hosting the sensitisation programme aimed at promoting public safety.
He noted that the initiative is part of the Security and Rights Opportunities (SRO) Project supported by the Open Society Foundation and implemented in Bayelsa and Benue states.
Fyneface explained that the project is community-driven and focuses on sensitising residents against drug abuse, cultism, and related social vices, alongside promoting environmental sanitation.
He added that the programme, which is the second edition following the December 2025 event, would continue quarterly throughout 2026.
Also speaking, Kelvin Loveday-Egbo, in his presentation on “The Role of Youths in the Promotion of Public Safety Through Sanitation in Elebele Community,” urged young people to take responsibility for maintaining a clean and safe environment.
He highlighted the link between sanitation and public safety, noting that dirty and abandoned environments often serve as breeding grounds for crime and drug-related activities.
Loveday-Egbo encouraged youths to adopt personal responsibility, participate in community clean-up exercises, protect public spaces, and reject drug abuse and cultism.
“Public safety begins with individuals. A clean environment leads to clear minds, safe streets, and a stronger future,” he said.
Programme Officer, Safety at Spaces for Change, Joy Anohobi, said the initiative targets young people, stressing that early education is key to preventing their involvement in social vices.
The event featured interactive sessions where participants were encouraged to take ownership of their community and commit to building a safer and healthier environment.
