Ex-Nigeria Tennis Coach, Abinu partners police to reduce cultism, other vices in Kogi

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

Worried by the negative effect of cultism among youths in the Country, Coach Gabriel Abinu foundation has begun partnership with the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, (POCACOV) to reduce the societal menace in Kogi State.

Former Nigeria Tennis international Amb. Gabriel Abinu disclosed this on Friday when he received an award of Philanthropist and community developer par excellence from the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, (POCACOV) in Lokoja.

“Cultism is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our youths today. It is unfortunate that some of our youths that are supposed to be productive and useful to our society turn themselves to be a menace.

” What they fail to understand here is that joining cultism and engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, internet fraud will not help them but rather it will destroy their lives completely. To reduce this menace in this modern society, all hands must be on deck to fight this scourge which remains a big threat to our existence as human beings.

“As a sports enthusiast, I will keep advocating for massive investment in sport to reduce crime in our Country. When youths are engaged in various sporting activities, they won’t have the time to think of committing crime. Let us borrow a leaf from great Countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, United States of America, Brazil, Argentina, and many more. These nations are doing well in international competitions.

” They are achieving success because of the huge investment in sports by their government. This is one of the reasons they are recording a low crime rate. I am optimistic that one day, Nigeria will get there. Coach Gabriel Abinu foundation is ready to partner with the Police Campaign against cultism and other Social Vices, (POCACOV) in reducing crimes and criminalities in Kogi State” he added.

On the award given to him, Amb. Abinu noted that the recognition from POCACOV is a wake up call to do more for humanity adding that he remains committed to touch the lives of the people positively down to the grassroots.

Earlier, the Kogi State Chairman of POCACOV Austine Alaba Medaiyedu in his address described Amb. Abinu is a pacesetter who has continued to touch the lives of many in the Country.

According to him, the award given to Amb. Abinu is to boost his morale to do more for humanity, adding that the body has been monitoring his selfless service within and outside the State.

He used the opportunity to intimate the public what their association is doing to curb cultism and other criminal activities in Kogi State.

“The Police Campaign against cultism and other Vices, (POCACOV) is an initiative of the Nigeria Police force to fight criminalities particularly cultism and other vices like internet fraud, examination malpractice, violence against Women, domestic violence drug abuse and many more.

” We have the platform across the 36 states of the federation. It is a community initiative. We felt that if we want to fight against cultism and other social vices like we mentioned, we must appreciate those that are role models to our Youths. Amb. Abinu has carved a niche for himself and deserves all the accolades he is receiving across board” he stated.

The award ceremony was attended by prominent members of Lokoja club 1901, top personalities in Kogi State amongst others.