In an inspiring effort to curb rising youth involvement in cultism and drug abuse, the Common Ground Journalism Forum, an initiative under the EU-funded Search for Common Ground (SFCG) project, hosted a sensitization session at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, bringing together students and local community youths for a day of dialogue, education, and reflection.
The forum forms part of a broader peace building initiative: Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta project. The event was strategically held on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, amplifying global advocacy with local impact.
Speaking to participants, Dr. Sophia Daniel, First Vice Chairperson of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice and Deputy Director at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, addressed the root causes of substance abuse, “As a therapist, I often find that drug abuse stems from depression, low self-esteem, and unresolved mental health issues. People don’t just take substances, they use them to mask pain or boost confidence,” she said.
“The solution begins with mental health. Talk to someone. Don’t suffer in silence. If you don’t have anyone close, seek out a therapist or counselor.”
She also encouraged young women in attendance to remain focused and ambitious, “Build your capacity. Don’t wait to be sponsored. Equip yourself and rise to meet the standards you want to see in society.”
Prof. Kingdom Elendwenyi, Pioneer Director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at Ignatius Ajuru, warned that the country risks collapse if youth continue down the path of vices, “The society is beginning to look like a failed one. But we must raise a generation that can stand above cultism, drug abuse, and examination malpractice. If we do, sustainability will follow.”
He called on the government to take students seriously, “Scholarships and bursaries must be accessible to deserving students. If they are supported, they’ll focus on their studies, not on vices.”
Pharmacist Anaele Promise, former PSC Chairman in Rivers State, took a scientific approach, “Drug abuse is not just about bad behavior, it’s a chronic brain disease. The brains of substance users often show structural changes. This problem requires professional treatment, not just moral correction.”
He decried the lack of rehab centers in Rivers State, “We have a few – UPTH, Rumuigbo Psychiatric Hospital, RSU Medical Center but they’re not enough. We need more facilities and more professionals trained to support recovery.”
The event included powerful testimonies from students deeply impacted by the message.
Esther Barisele Babi, a student from Ogoni, said, “This touched me personally. I have a friend battling drug addiction, and today I realized that people take drugs to numb emotional pain. We need to help them heal, not abandon them.”
Another student added,
“I now understand the danger of cults. They promise protection but offer fear. I was once scared to come to school because of cultist threats.”
One participant who was almost lured into cultism shared, “They said they’d protect me. But I realized from this session that they only trap you. I chose to walk away, now I know I made the right decision.”
“The journalists are giving back” Mr. Sunny Dada, Mass Media and Information Management Coordinator for Search for Common Ground, applauded the event:
“Cultism and drug abuse are major conflict drivers in Rivers State. This session was timely and youth-led. It’s encouraging to see journalists trained by SFCG organizing and leading such impactful initiatives.”
He emphasized the sustainability of the programme, “These journalists aren’t just participants, they’re multiplying the knowledge. This is how real change begins: from the ground up.”
The forum concluded with a resounding call for community-based action, institutional support, and continued media advocacy. As students and facilitators pledged to carry the message beyond the campus walls, it was clear that the conversation had only just begun.
SFCG Forum For Community Youth Mobilisation is EU-funded
