Students, Government Seek Collaboration Against Campus Drug Abuse

CALABAR – The Cross River State government and student leaders of University of Calabar have pledged closer collaboration to tackle drug abuse, cultism and other social vices threatening tertiary institutions.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Directorate of Information of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government to the Cross River State Ministry of Information in Calabar.

Speaking during the meeting, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Anthony Asuquo Okon, urged student leaders to deploy effective information dissemination strategies to combat the growing challenge of anti-social behaviour on campuses.

“One of the major responsibilities of student leaders, especially those in information management, is to help fight the menace of cultism and drug abuse on campus.

These are serious challenges confronting students today, and you must use your offices to disseminate the right information across faculties and departments,” Okon said.

He said student leaders occupy strategic positions capable of shaping positive attitudes and influencing behavioural change among their peers through sustained sensitisation and responsible communication.

According to him, collaboration between government institutions and student leadership remains critical to addressing social vices and promoting discipline within the academic environment.

“You have representatives across departments and faculties, so you should work with them to ensure success is achieved.

Drug abuse and cultism are major concerns, and as student leaders, you must rise to the challenge,” he added.

Okon further encouraged the students to adopt communication approaches that promote peace, discipline and social responsibility, noting that consistent awareness campaigns could help reduce harmful practices among undergraduates.

He also commended the Students’ Union Government for recognising the ministry’s efforts in public communication, describing the honour as evidence that the ministry’s work is being acknowledged beyond government circles.

“I want to say that it is a great honour to this office and especially to our commissioner because, based on his hard work and dedication, you found him worthy of this recognition. It shows that the work he is doing is being noticed beyond the immediate space,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, Director of Information of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government, Comrade Gift Ogbodum, said the visit was aimed at strengthening engagement with the ministry and fostering partnership on issues affecting students.

“We are here to appreciate the commissioner for his good works and for effectively taking government information to the university community and the larger society,” Ogbodum said.

He noted that the students’ union was committed to deepening collaboration with the ministry to support awareness campaigns targeted at curbing drug abuse and other social vices within the institution.

Ogbodum said the engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to explore practical ways of using information management as a tool for social reorientation and behavioural change among students.

The meeting was attended by directors of the ministry and members of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government information directorate.