The Edo Government on Wednesday, launched an anti-cultism campaign in secondary schools to curb the rising cases of cultism and drug abuse among students in Edo South Senatorial District.

The campaign included distribution of anti-cultism materials, sensitisation talks and direct interaction with the students.

Addressing students at the Edo Boys High School and the Ihogbe College in Benin, Gov.

Monday Okpebholo, who spoke through his Principal Security Officer, Austin Eigbiremolen, said his administration views secondary schools as a base point to curb cultism.

According to him, Ihogbe College used to be notorious for cultism and cult activities.

Okpebholo reminded the students that his administration has zero tolerance for cultism and had signed stringent laws to curb the menace into law.

The Coordinator of the Special Security Squad, Amiolemen Idemudia, told the students not to allow their friends to lure them into joining cult groups.

He said: “Okpebholo is telling you there is no hope in cultism.

“Where cultism exists, you have retrogression. Keep away from cult activities. If your friend tries to lure you into the act, simply tell them it is not good.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said the fight against cultism must be a collective responsibility of parents, community leaders, religious institutions and youths.

Agbonayinma urged the students to choose life over violence, hope over fear, and progress over destruction.

“You must join hands to protect our communities, secure the future and build a safer Edo for generations to come.

“Cultism is not an option. Peace is the choice. Cultism is not a path to power, respect or success. It is a path to destruction, imprisonment and untimely death,” he said.

The Principal of Ihogbe College, Dr Felix Ighodaro, said the school has become a refined place with good students.

He said that the sensitisation was in the right direction towards curbing cultism in Edo state.

Some students and educators welcomed the initiative, hoping it would reduce cultism influence and promote academic excellence in Edo schools.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

A popular socio-political support group, Tomorrow Is Here Movement, has pledged to secure the re-election of Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, in 2027 through sustained grassroots mobilization, as political leaders and stakeholders extolled his administration’s record of impactful governance.

The pledge was made yesterday at the Peter Mbah Arena, Abakpa Nike, during the inauguration of the Enugu East Local Government’s ward coordinators of the movement.

The event, which attracted a large crowd of party faithful, community leaders and supporters from across the council area, had the presence of Enugu State House of Assembly’s former Speaker, Hon Edward Ubosi, and the former federal lawmaker representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo at the House of Representatives, Hon Cornelius Nnaji, who extolled the governor’s commitment to transforming the state.

Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Beloved-dan Anike, described Enugu East as the “capital of grassroots mobilization in Nigeria,” assuring the governor of overwhelming support from the area.

He said Governor Mbah’s nearly three years in office had demonstrated a leadership style driven by disruptive innovation and measurable outcomes.

 Anike cited the dualisation of the Abakpa–Ugwogo–Opi Road and Penoks–Ugwogo–Opi Road, noting that the projects would reposition Enugu East as a 24-hour economic hub within a year.

The council chairman also highlighted the launch of Enugu Air, digitisation of land administration to block revenue leakages, construction of over 260 smart green schools and primary healthcare centres, and the commencement of over 1,000 roads within a single year.

He added that the council had complemented state efforts through free health insurance schemes, women empowerment programmes and sponsorship of youths for aviation training, some of whom are already employed by Enugu Air.

On his part, Hon. Ubosi said supporters of the governor had a clear mandate to consistently communicate his achievements to the people, declaring that Mbah’s performance had convinced him to openly identify with the APC through the administration’s unprecedented record.

Nnaji stressed that the massive turnout at the event reflected the governor’s popularity and credibility.

While urging members of the movement to intensify sensitisation at the grassroots, he said the goal was to return the governor to the Lion Building in 2027. He reaffirmed support for both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Mbah in the next general election.

Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and State Leader of the movement, Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, said the group had gained widespread acceptance across wards due to visible projects and empowerment programmes of the administration, noting that thousands of previously undecided residents had been mobilised in support of the governor.

Reiterating their unflinching support, the lawmakers representing Enugu East Urban and Enugu East Rural Constituencies, Hon. Osita Okoh and Hon. Raymond Ugwu, alongside the APC Caretaker Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Hon. Okey Igbokwe, commended Governor Mbah for prioritising the council area with landmark projects already transforming the landscape and livelihoods of residents.

In the same vein, former State Woman Leader, Hon. Peace Patrice, said Governor Mbah’s projects had become their personal projects, which they were actively propagating at the grassroots.

According to her, the interventions had renewed hope among the people, especially rural and urban women, and strengthened their resolve to support the administration beyond 2027.

Inaugurating the coordinators, Leader of the Tomorrow Is Here Movement, Hon. Tony Okonkwo, said Governor Mbah’s passion for development was rooted in his love for the people.

He cited urban renewal, aviation development, road infrastructure, smart transport initiatives and investments in education and healthcare as evidence of inclusive governance.

Responding on behalf of the ward coordinators, Hon. Okoro Tim reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the administration’s programmes at the grassroots, assuring that Enugu East would deliver strong electoral support for Governor Mbah in 2027.

The Anambra State Government has suspended nine headteachers and principals for two weeks over low attendance of pupils and students in their schools on Mondays.

Dr Vera Nwadinobi, Chairperson, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), said the suspension followed findings from a state-wide monitoring exercise.

Nwadinobi said the exercise assessed compliance with a government directive abolishing school closures linked to the Monday sit-at-home order.

She said the directive was issued through an Executive Order announced during the State Executive Council retreat held on Jan. 21.

According to her, the government had warned that teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to comply with the directive risk sanctions, including salary deductions or forfeiture.

The affected schools include Union Primary School and Walter Eze Secondary School, both in Ukpo; Aguoji Primary School and Hilltop Primary School in Ifitedunu; and Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete.

Others are Uzubi Primary School and Union Primary School in Eziowelle; Umunebo Primary School, Nteje and Central School, Atani, all government-owned institutions across different local government areas of the state.

Nwadinobi, who led the monitoring team, expressed disappointment over the continued low turnout of pupils and students in spite of government directives.

She said the exercise was part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with the Executive Order restoring normal academic activities on Mondays.

“The government approved the immediate suspension of the affected school heads for an initial period of two weeks.

“They were also directed to hand over duties to the next most senior officers to ensure continuity of administrative and academic activities,” she said.

Nwadinobi described the action as a demonstration of the government’s zero tolerance for negligence and warned that future infractions could attract stiffer sanctions, including dismissal from service.

She said findings from the monitoring exercise showed widespread absenteeism among pupils and students, even though some teachers were present in several schools visited.