Akwa Ibom Assembly Draw Battle Line With Cultists, Cultism

The Akwa lbom State House of Assembly has condemned the recent breach of public peace by some secondary school students in the state.

At Plenary on Thursday, the House expressed worry that teenage children in secondary schools have deviated from their studies to carrying axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

The condemnation was sequel to a Motion brought before the House by the Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Ekpo who pointed out that some secondary school students have become more involved in violent activities than ever before in the history of the state.

He revealed that offers by secret cult groups have become alluring to students, giving them a false hope of illusion and sense of belonging to a 'true family.'

Ekpo therefore prayed the House to direct the State Ministry of Education, State Secondary Education Board and State Technical Schools Board to come up with stiffer penalties on students involved in cultism or other social vices.

In their remarks, the Members representing Ika/Etim Ekpo, Itu, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Eket, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai, Oruk Anam and Ibeno/Esit Eket State Constituencies, Hon. Mfon Idung, Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem, Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere,
Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian and Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanuso respectively, spoke on the need for proactive and reactive measures to curb cult activities in schools across the state.

While citing overpopulation and non-provision of academic materials as some causes of unrest in some secondary schools, the Lawmakers also stressed the need for good parental guidance for teenagers.

While calling for a strict implementation of the Anti-cultism Law by the State Government, the Assemblymen further spoke on the need to prohibit cultists from holding public offices in the state.

In his response, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, commended Hon. Godwin Ekpo for bringing the Motion before the House.

He committed the Motion to
the Joint Committees on Education and Security, directing them to come up with a report within one month, after interfacing with the Ministry of Education, State Technical School Board and State Secondary Education Board.

At Plenary also, the House received Motions on "The Need to Improve The Habitable Condition of the 1500 Housing Estate in Akwa Ibom State" as well as "The Non-Inclusion And Non-recognition of Oro Communities As Oil-producing Communities and Catchment Areas of Akwa Ibom State", sponsored by the Members representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara and Mbo State Constituencies, Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere and Hon. Effiong Johnson, respectively.

Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Physically Challenged Person's Protection Bill, 2020, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and Member representing Okobo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey, scaled through Second Reading while A Bill for a Law to Impose An Education Levy to be used in Accelerating and Enhancing The Educational Development of the State and for Other Matters Connected Thereto was read the first time at Plenary.

In the meantime, the House has adjourned plenary to Tuesday, February 25, 2020  at 10am.