The Edo State Government has launched a statewide campaign aimed at combating cultism and empowering young people through education and skills development.
Tagged Project RISE (Resist Initiation, Securing Education), the initiative is spearheaded by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duty to Governor Monday Okpebholo. The campaign seeks to redirect the energies of Edo youth towards productive pursuits, including education, vocational training, and civic engagement.
Speaking in Abuja during an event at the Swedish Embassy to mark Sweden’s National Day, the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duty, Mr. Uriesi Alex, formally introduced the campaign and highlighted its core objectives.
“This is more than a campaign — it is a movement to rescue the future of our youth. Cultism has robbed too many young people of their potential. Through Project RISE, we are pushing back — loud and clear — that Edo youth deserve better,” Alex said in a statement issued on Friday.
He noted that Project RISE would utilize multiple media platforms — including television, radio, university outlets, social media, community engagement channels, and print publications — to drive sustained messaging around anti-cultism and youth empowerment.
During his visit, Alex held discussions with the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Annika Hahn-Englund, and other diplomatic officials, emphasizing the need for international collaboration in addressing cult-related violence.
“While Sweden was celebrating its independence and heritage, I found it a meaningful opportunity to unveil Project RISE — a campaign dedicated to protecting Edo’s youth by resisting cultism and promoting safe, quality education,” he stated.
The campaign will also partner with student groups, university media platforms, and youth influencers to achieve grassroots impact.
According to the statement, Project RISE will work closely with the Nigeria Police Force Anti-Cultism Unit and the Department of State Services (DSS) to raise awareness about the legal and life-threatening consequences of cult involvement. The initiative will also offer alternatives through mentorship, vocational training, and access to educational programs.
Project RISE aligns with the Edo State Anti-Cultism Law, passed in January 2025, which stipulates a 15 to 21-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of cult-related crimes.
The initiative underscores Governor Okpebholo’s zero-tolerance stance on cultism and his administration’s broader commitment to securing the future of Edo’s youth.
