Cross River: Secondary School Students Educated On Drug Abuse, Warned Against Reckless Social Media Use

By Kelvin Ololo

Secondary school students in Cross River State have been cautioned against drug abuse and other social vices capable of jeopardizing their future aspirations.

The warning came during the flag-off of the Southern Senatorial District Secondary Schools Educational Orientation Summit, held at Government Secondary School, Barracks Road, Calabar.

Delivering Governor Bassey Otu’s message, the Special Assistant on Students’ Orientation, Comr. Afufu Anthony Ogar-Ogabor said the initiative was a deliberate effort to curb the rising trend of immoral practices such as drug abuse, cultism, and negative peer influence among students.

According to him, “His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has sent us to remind you that you are champions. You are leaders of today, tomorrow, and the future. Remain focused on your dreams and become assets to your families and society.”

He noted that the Governor deemed it necessary to extend the orientation campaign to secondary schools, rather than restricting such interventions to tertiary institutions alone.

Speaking, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Mr. Okon E. Eyo of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), lectured students on the legal and health consequences of drug abuse. He stressed that drug misuse destroys focus and derails academic goals.

“Do not allow anyone deceive you into taking drugs. Drugs make you useless. You don’t need drugs to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, journalist, or anything you want to be. Stay focused if you must succeed in life.” He said

In his presentation titled “Focus to Finish: Turning Distraction into Determination,” Pastor Kenneth B. Akpet emphasized the importance of discipline and controlled use of social media.

“Social media scatters your attention when not managed. Success is not achieved by mere wishes but by deliberate effort and avoidance of distractions.”

The Principal of the school, Mr. Odey Moses Okaba, appreciated the Governor and the organizing team for extending the initiative to secondary schools. He encouraged students to apply the lessons learned to their personal and academic lives.

Students actively participated in the interactive sessions and engaged facilitators with questions to enhance their understanding.

Writing materials were also distributed to students at the summit.