The monthly sensitisation campaign of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission against social vices continued on Tuesday at Otu-Jeremi Secondary School in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The campaign, organised by the Community Development and Public Enlightenment Department of DESOPADEC, focused on disabusing the minds of students and youths against the growing “School is a Scam” mentality.
Addressing the students, the Head of Department, Community Development and Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, represented by the Divisional Head, Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Etume Okeoghene, said the commission remained committed to safeguarding the future of youths in its mandate areas.
“The Commission’s intervention is clear because we care and our purpose and intention is to safeguard the future of our youth in the direction of ‘School is no Scam,’” she stated.
She commended the DESOPADEC Board led by Chairman, John Obukokwho Nani, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Festus Ochonogor, alongside other board members, for supporting the sensitisation programme across the commission’s mandate areas.
Okeoghene urged the students to become ambassadors of the campaign by spreading the message among their peers and communities.
Earlier, the Principal of Otu-Jeremi Secondary School, Mrs. Obokeno Emily, welcomed the DESOPADEC team and described the initiative as timely, considering the rising cases of moral decadence and social vices among youths.
“I want to thank you and the Board of DESOPADEC for this initiative. It is timely, knowing well the social vices and moral decadence ravaging the society. It is a wake-up call to save our youth from this wrong notion of ‘School is a Scam,’” she said.
She also called on government agencies and non-governmental organisations to emulate the commission’s efforts in tackling social vices among young people.
The event featured a debate between students of Otu-Jeremi Secondary School and Igwreka Technical College on the topic, “School is no Scam.”
At the end of the competition, Miss Success Onojode of Otu-Jeremi Secondary School emerged winner, while Miss Emmanuella Eloho came second. Consolation prizes were presented to other participants from Igwreka Technical College, including Tekevwe John Oghene, Jessica Onovughe and Anna Oghenekome.
Resource persons, Mr. James Adjevabor and Honeywell Eburajolo of the Community Development and Public Enlightenment Department, also spoke extensively on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and substance use among youths, urging students to embrace good behaviour and shun social vices.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of school bags and notebooks to participating students.
Among dignitaries present were Mrs. Frances Onduku, Divisional Head, Culture and Tourism; Mr. Christopher Utuama, Otu-Jeremi Area Office Coordinator; and Mrs. Ejovi Patience, Vice Principal of Otu-Jeremi Secondary School, among others.
