500 renounce cultism as Ogidi celebrates Nwafor festival

Over 500 youths of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have renounced cultism and pledged to be of good character.

The repentant cultists had early Thursday converged at the Ogidi town hall from where they marched through the major roads in a peaceful procession in the community, while some others on convoy of over vehicles and motorcycles, displayed placards, some of which read, “say no to cultism, no to hard drugs, no to thuggery, and armed robbery” among others.

The leader of the repentant youths, Ifeatu Okeke, commended Dr. Obiorah Okonkwo Dikeorah, a prominent politician in the state who sponsored the walk for the interest he has to better the welfare of the youths in Ogidi which prompted him to earmark N10 millon as Endowment fund for the empowerment of the youths.

He said: “From today upwards, any youth caught involved in cultism will be arrested and handed over to the security operatives. Do not say you have nothing doing and that is why you engage yourself into it, be part of the beneficiaries of the fund by coming to register and be empowered”.

Speaking, Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Endowment fund, Chief Sam Mendu Onwa, said: “From cultism, you turn to drug addict, armed robber, assassin among others and that is the reason why we want to save your lives through the benevolence of our son, who wants you to have something doing so that you say bye to cultism and become self-reliant.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido said that with this renouncement of cultism in Ogidi, the youths would have a change of heart and commended Dr. Okonkwo for assisting the youths.

Earlier, a member of the BoT, Barrister Obum O. Osakwe, said “this is the very first time the youths will come out and say no to cultism.

I believe God that one of them may in the nest eight years be Governor of the state because it is the time of the youths to be uplifted and say no to cultism,” he added.
Also speaking, Barrister Agbata, the legal adviser, commended Okonkwo for coming to the rescue of the youths and urged them to see the Endowment fund as opportunity to change to a new leaf and be self-reliant.