Anambra Police Commissioner Lauds POCACOV Initiative

By Izunna Okafor

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Kuryas has lauded the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), which is an initiative of the current Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed A. Adamu, aimed at annihilating cultism and other crime or vices in the society.

The CP, gave the commendation while addressing some national and Anambra state officials of POCACOV who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the State's Police Headquarters, Amawbia on Thursday.

While noting that security is one of the topmost priorities of the Governor Willie Obiano-led Administration in the state; the CP however decried the rising spate of cultism and other related vices in the society, which he said, is one of the problems that POCACOV has come to solve.

CP Kuryas who described POCACOV as a wonderful initiative of the IGP Adamu that will serve as a viable community-driven policing tool, further assured that Anambra State Police Command, under his watch, "shall adequately utilise it in tackling cultism in the by mobilising all relevant stakeholders to see that it is successfully domesticated in all the communities across the state."

He appreciated the National Coordinator of POCACOV, CSP Ebere Amaraizu and his hardworking team, for their unwavering commitment and passion in driving the initiative and its message across the states of the federation in order to save Nigerian youths and the society at large from the menace of cultism and other vices attributable to cultism.
 
Earlier in a remark, the National Coordinator of POCACOV, CSP Ebere Amaraizu said the primary aim of the visit was to update the CP on the activities of POCACOV in combating cultism across the nation, as well as introduce the 'POCACOV In YOUR COMMUNITY' program to him.

He noted that the aim of the visit was also to introduce the leadership of the Anambra State POCACOV to the CP, and officially inform him of the proposed POCACOV National Submit scheduled to hold in Anambra State in few months time .

While praying the CP to assist the  state's POCACOV team to drive the sensitisation, awareness and advocacy campaign against cultism to the remotest parts of the state; CSP Amaraizu also used the opportunity to present some POCACOV-branded materials to the CP, which include T-Shirt, CD, brochure and other materials.

In their separate remarks, the Anambra State Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Chukwuma, and the State Chairman of the POCACOV Volunteer Club, Prince Donatus Orjika appreciated CP Kuryas for his hospitality, even as they briefed him on the activities of POCACOV in the state, and pledged their full cooperation and collaboration with the Command in taking their operation and campaign against cultism to the grassroots.

Speaking to newsmen, the Anambra State Media Officer of POCACOV, Mazi Chidi Orjika who was also part of the visit, described the visit as worthy and auspicious, expressing optimism that the outcome of the meeting will help to foster greater collaboration among the two, and consequently strengthen the security status of the state.

Others who joined in the visit were the Project Coordinator, Director of Gender Violence from the National Office, SP Nwakaego; the President General of Akili Ogidi in Ogbaru who is also the Anambra North Vice Chairman of the club, Mr Chukwusa Michael; and a critical stakeholder, Amb. Dr. John Mary Ibeka, as well as some campus Cordinators of POCACOV.

Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is an initiative that is aimed at saving the youths from the claws of cultism, drugs abuse and other vices through advocacy, awareness creation, sensitization, re-orientation, and school/community outreaches, amongst others.