The Niger State Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has taken its advocacy campaign to the Niger State Remand Home, Minna, urged juveniles at the facility to shun crime, embrace rehabilitation and work towards rebuilding their future.
The Special Advocacy Programme, held on September 3, 2026, was organised in commemoration of World Charity Day 2026 and themed, “A Second Chance: Giving Hope, Building Futures.” It brought together the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Inmates Educational Foundation (IEF), DROL TV and D3 TV.
Speaking during the programme, the Niger State POCACOV Coordinator, ASP Simon T. Lough, sensitised the juveniles on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, cultism, cybercrime, violence, thuggery and other social vices capable of destroying their future.
Lough urged the beneficiaries not to allow past mistakes or their present circumstances to define their lives permanently, encouraging them to embrace rehabilitation, education, useful skills and positive relationships as pathways to a better future.
The State POCACOV Committee Chairman, Mr Guja Ibrahim, appreciated the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for facilitating the engagement, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to supporting beneficiaries willing to continue their education after reintegration into society.
He also pledged sustained mentorship, guidance, advocacy and sensitisation as part of efforts to promote personal development and safer communities.
The NDLEA, in its contribution, warned the juveniles about the health, academic and social consequences of drug and substance abuse, noting that substance abuse could lead to loss of focus, disruption of education and exposure to criminal activities.
Similarly, the Inmates Educational Foundation counselled the juveniles against returning to criminal activities after their discharge, urging them to view their experience at the facility as a challenge to overcome rather than a permanent stigma.
The foundation also donated exercise books and other educational materials to the beneficiaries to support their educational development.
The Deputy Director, Socials, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr David Gana Yisa, who represented the ministry, described the intervention as a positive step towards securing a better future for the young offenders.
Yisa called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to sustain similar advocacy programmes, stressing that collective efforts were necessary to build a safer society and nurture young people into responsible future leaders.
The Head of the facility, Hajia Halima Mohammed, expressed gratitude for the initiative, describing it as a welcome development and the first of its kind from the Nigeria Police.
She expressed optimism that the messages delivered during the programme would contribute to the rehabilitation of the juveniles and better prepare them for reintegration into society.
The participating media organisations, DROL TV and D3 TV, also supported the initiative by amplifying messages on youth development, rehabilitation, responsible citizenship and the importance of giving vulnerable young people a second chance.
A major highlight of the programme was the presentation of incentives to the juveniles as a gesture of care, compassion and renewed hope.
The interactive session also gave the beneficiaries an opportunity to express themselves, receive encouragement and recognise that their current circumstances do not diminish their value or potential to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
The stakeholders stressed that the rehabilitation of vulnerable young persons requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, families, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions and the media.
The programme ended with a commitment by the participating organisations to sustain interventions aimed at promoting rehabilitation, empowerment, mentorship and positive reintegration, with the shared conviction that every young person deserves an opportunity to learn from the past and build a productive future.
