Oge Abigo
A bill for a law to prohibit Secret Cultism and Similar Activities has scaled Second Reading at the floor of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The bill seeks to end all forms of cultism in Anambra State by involving parents, churches and institutions in the fight.
Leading the debate, the Majority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo constituency, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme said bill when passed into law, will make anyone who commits the offences whether through conspiracy, sponsorship or supporting cult activities, to face the consequences.
"When the cultism commenced to the point of being violent, we thought it was a university thing but today, it has gone out of hand spreading into villages in Idemili North, Awka among other.
"Today, it has turned to be a way of life. A serious student don't have time for cultism rather little time for recreation and rest while a greater portion of his time is devoted to studies.
"Prayer is the only thing that give parents the opportunity to know when their children wakes up and go to bed. Today, most parents don't do it any longer.
"If you know that your children is not at home throughout the day, you can ask question. Where have you been? Mind you, activities of cultism are done at odd hours.
Hon Ofedeme maintained that the Executive Bill will save Anambra brothers, children and parents from daily weeping, stressing that cultism also triggers consumption of illicit drugs to enable them carry out killings.
According to him, the bill will again monitor activities in hotels, eateries and night clubs because cult members use some of these places for their meetings, relaxation and social activities.
"Cultists are involved in election thuggery, promising to deliver their choice candidates without their votes, but engaging in ballot box snatching, shootings and rigging.
"A victim of cultism was killed yesterday at Amansea, he graduated in 2001/2002 and has even forgotten that he was a cultist but today, he is no more. Thus, when you forget, people will not forget.
"The only way to checkmate these activity is law. If you are involved in any conspiracy. Any cult group is just an institution that is exciting murder, a capital offence against humanity and God. Nobody can create a human being so destroyed and cult members kill without considering that life is precious.
"Lesbianism and gay are also a group of cult people where oath is taken while human trafficking and prostitution take centre stage. Bokoharam and unknown gunmen are cults and no longer agitation as oath is taken to kill and human blood drunk as though they are vampires," he concluded.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip and member representing Ihiala 1 Constituency, Hon Jude Ngobili and his Idemili North Counterpart, Hon Kingsley Udemezue established the importance of the bill in relations to how it will benefit Anambra youths.
The Speaker of the House Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze referred the bill to House Committees on Education, and Judiciary and Justice to report back to the house in three weeks.###