By Odita Sunday
The Anambra State Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) has appointed the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, as a Very Senior Ambassador and strategic partner in its campaign against cultism and other social vices.
The appointment was announced on Friday as POCACOV intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders in protecting children, teenagers and other vulnerable members of society.
The initiative is also aimed at tackling substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other harmful behaviours affecting young people in the state.
According to a statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the POCACOV team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Francisca Egbunike, highlighted the strategic role of the Ministry of Women Affairs in family and community development.
The police noted that the ministry’s responsibilities in advocacy, counselling, youth empowerment, protection of vulnerable persons and early intervention could help prevent young people from being exposed to criminality and other harmful influences.
Speaking after her nomination, Onyekesi appreciated POCACOV for the initiative and pledged the ministry’s continued partnership with the Nigeria Police Force.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting programmes designed to prevent cultism, substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other social vices among teenagers and youths.
The Anambra Police Command, through POCACOV, also called on parents, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, schools, youth organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to join the police in building safer communities.
The command said stronger collaboration among stakeholders remained essential to protecting young people and promoting a safer and more responsible society.
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