Akwa Ibom Youth Leaders To Pass Anti-Doping, Cultism Test Before Recognition

To curb the menace of drug abuse and cultism in Akwa Ibom State, the administration of Governor Umo Eno has set a new template for youth presidents to emerge.

The government’s decision, according to the commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, followed plans to integrate youth leaders into all villages across the 31 local government areas as part of the grassroots administrative structures.

Ekanem, who disclosed this at the weekend, warned that any of the current crop of youth presidents and intending ones who failed the drug and cultism screening test would be derecognised and sanctioned.

He explained that the ongoing verification exercise across the gazetted villages in 31 councils was to ascertain the integrity, fidelity and credibility of the grassroots with a view to giving them a clean bill to work with the state government in liaison with security agencies to stem the growing security infractions in rural Akwa Ibom.

“All existing and intending village youth presidents in Akwa Ibom State must undergo compulsory drug testing and security screening,” he said.

“The ongoing data verification exercise across the 31 LGAs is designed to meet these individuals one-on-one and ascertain that the Village Heads and the community are comfortable with and supportive of their nomination before they are accepted as Village Youth Presidents.

“Any individual with criminal records or pending criminal cases in Court will not be qualified to serve as a Village Youth President in the State,” the Commissioner stressed.