Delta State Government threatened on Thursday in Asaba to shut any school where students engage in cultism.
Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu issued the threat while reacting to a trending video of a secondary school where students allegedly engaged in “Snake-Bite’’ cult activities.
He told newsmen that government had stepped up supervision of schools and any student found culpable would be punished accordingly.
Aniagwu said government would also shut any school where cult activities had been found and added that the Ministry of Education would increase its supervisory role to end the trend.
He blamed parents, teachers, religious leaders and sundry stakeholders for their negligence and abdication of duties and responsibilities toward their children and wards.
“Let nobody make any mistake to think that cultism is restricted to Delta.
“What we are suffering today flows from the failure of parents of yesterday, so parents of today must avoid such pitfalls.
“Beyond the fact that we have asked the supervisory ministry to increase supervision, the authority in any school where cultism is found, will be called to answer,’’ Aniagwu stressed.
In the trending video of the snake BITE initiation in Asaba, a man claims to have identified 61 Primary/Secondary School students in a private school in Asaba.
He said “They don’t use stone or razor. It’s paper and incantation. He alleged that the initiated students are directed to report anyone who beats or offends them and the cult group would mobilse and deal with the person.
The speaker went on to say that a teacher was almost beaten by the cult group recently at the instance of a 14-year-old student. He said that “Currently at the Ministry of Education Asaba to tender our findings and report officially.” He further advised parents to check their children
Speaking on the recently-secured N71 billion supplementary budget by the outgoing government, the commissioner said it was aimed at meeting the government’s obligations within the ambit of the law.
He said Gov. Okowa’s administration had pledged to work till May 28, the last day of its tenure.
Aniagwu noted also that Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent Speaker, House of Assembly and governor-elect was also committed to work till the last day in office as speaker.
