By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The Niger State Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Inmates Educational Foundation (IEF), DROL TV and D3 TV, conducted a Special Advocacy Programme at the Niger State Remand Home, Minna, on 3rd September 2026, in commemoration of World Charity Day 2026.
The programme, themed “A Second Chance: Giving Hope, Building Futures,” was designed to provide the juveniles with encouragement, mentorship and positive engagement, while promoting rehabilitation, responsible decision-making, personal development and successful reintegration into society.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Niger State Command POCACOV Coordinator,ASP Simon T. Lough and made available to Journalists on Saturday, September 5th 2026 in Minna.
The statement added that during the advocacy session, the POCACOV team, led by the State Coordinator, ASP Simon T. Lough, sensitized the beneficiaries on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, cultism, cybercrime, violence, thuggery and other social vices capable of undermining their future.
The team emphasized that past mistakes or circumstances should not permanently define their lives, encouraging the juveniles to embrace rehabilitation, acquire useful skills, pursue education, develop positive relationships and make responsible choices.
The State POCACOV Committee Chairman, Mr Guja Ibrahim in his remarks, appreciated the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for facilitating the engagement and providing an avenue for the intervention.
He reaffirmed POCACOV’s commitment to supporting willing beneficiaries, particularly those who had discontinued their education, to pursue opportunities for further learning upon reintegration. He further assured the juveniles of continued mentorship, guidance, advocacy and sensitisation aimed at supporting their personal development and promoting safer communities.
The NDLEA complemented the advocacy with a sensitization session on the dangers and consequences of drug and substance abuse. The agency highlighted the associated health, academic and social consequences, including loss of focus, disruption of educational pursuits and possible exposure to criminal activities.
The beneficiaries were encouraged to resist negative influences and make informed choices that would protect their future aspirations.
The Inmates Educational Foundation (IEF) also counselled the juveniles against returning to criminal activities after their discharge from the facility.
The Foundation encouraged them to regard their present experience as a challenge to overcome rather than a permanent stigma, while emphasizing education, discipline and positive values as essential tools for rebuilding their lives, stressing that as part of its contribution, IEF donated exercise books and other educational materials to the beneficiaries.
The participating media organisations, DROL TV and D3 TV, supported the programme by amplifying the advocacy message and promoting positive narratives on youth development, rehabilitation, responsible citizenship and the importance of giving vulnerable young persons a second chance.
Consequently,the Deputy Director Socials, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. David Gana Yisa on behalf of the Ministry appreciated the initiative describing it as a positive step towards ensuring a better future for the young offenders.
He sought for more partnership in driving such laudable advocacies in a bid to ensuring a safer society and nurturing young people into future leaders.
Moreover, the head of the Facility, Hajiya Halima Mohammed in her remarks expressed elation and gratitude for the gesture stating it is indeed a welcome development and a first of its kind from the Nigeria Police.
She expressed optimism following the message delivered to the inmates, as it would help to further assist in their rehabilitation and preparation for reintegration back to the society.
Additionally, the programme further highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in protecting and rehabilitating vulnerable young persons.
It emphasized the need for sustained cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, families, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions and the media to provide mentorship, guidance and opportunities for positive transformation.
A major highlight of the programme was the presentation of incentives to the juveniles as a gesture of care, compassion and renewed hope.
Furthermore,the interactive session also provided the beneficiaries with an opportunity to express themselves, receive encouragement and appreciate that their present circumstances do not diminish their value or potential to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
The intervention reaffirmed POCACOV’s commitment to preventive policing, early intervention, advocacy, rehabilitation and strategic stakeholder collaboration, particularly in addressing factors that may predispose young persons to crime and other harmful behaviours.
Meanwhile,the programme concluded with a shared commitment by the participating stakeholders to sustain collaborative interventions that promote hope, rehabilitation, empowerment and positive reintegration, with the conviction that every young person deserves an opportunity to learn from the past, rebuild their future and become a responsible and productive member of society.
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