KOGI ASSEMBLY ENDORSES SPI FIGHT AGAINST CULTISM

SPI Director, Cromwell

The humanitarian efforts of School to School Peace Initiative (SPI-Nigeria), the anti-cult group committed to rid Nigerian school system of cultism, has received a great boost as members of the Kogi State House of Assembly unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the collaboration of Kogi State Government with SPI to tackle the menace of cultism and cult related activities in schools in Kogi State and by extension the State.

At its plenary, on Thursday, November 10, 2016, the Kogi lawmakers appealed to the State Government to partner SPI to ensure that cultism was reduced to its lowest ebb in schools in Kogi State and the State in general.

A release by the Media Officer of School to School Peace Initiative, SPI –Nigeria, Comrade Anietie Esu, said that the endorsement is coming after several institutions across the country had given approval for the operations of SPI, a Non-Governmental Organisation in their institutions and the commendation of SPI by National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) as well as National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B, in curbing cult activities and examination malpractices in Nigerian school system.

According to the release, the Kogi Assembly, urged the School to School Peace Initiative to expedite action on the modalities of starting its operations in Kogi State.

In a letter dated November 11, 2016, signed by the Speaker, Mr Umar Imam and addressed to the Executive Director, SPI-Nigeria, Comrade Oliver Cromwell, the Kogi Assembly pledged its readiness to partner the organisation to succeed in its operations in the State.

Part of the endorsement letter with the subject matter, “ House Resolution Endorsing The Collaboration of Kogi State Government with School to School Peace Initiative (SPI) Nigeria (NGO) to Create Awareness and Sensitisation Against Cultism”, read, “ The House, at its plenary sitting of Thursday 10th November 2016, deliberated on a call to endorse the School to School Peace Initiative (SPI) Nigeria (NGO) and for the State Government to collaborate with the NGO in its efforts at creating awareness and sensitisation against cultism.

“After due consideration, and debate, the House unanimously endorsed the NGO and appealed to the State Government to collaborate with the NGO while drawing funds from donor agencies for this purpose”.

In response, the Executive Director, SPI-Nigeria, Comrade Oliver Cromwell expressed delight by the historic motion seeking an end to persistent cult proliferations in Kogi State by the member representing Odolu/Igalamela State Constituency in the House, Mr Friday Sani, saying the motion was timely.

Cromwell thanked the Speaker, Mr Umar Imam and other members of the Kogi Assembly for giving the motion accelerated passage and endorsement.

However, the Executive Director expressed hope that Governor Yahaya Bello would grant speedy approval for full operations of SPI in the State.