CULTISM?: I was interpreted out of context —Commissioner Asu Okang

NegroidHaven has garnered that the afore position is contrary to the recent statement trending online and credited to Governor Ben Ayade's aide on Youths and Sports, Comrade Okang, which suggests that the said public officer has a soft spot for and endorses the social vice referred to as —cultism. 

Comr Okang made this known, Thursday, while entertaining a handful of guest particularly students groups who paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Calabar. While separately addressing the contingents of the editorial team of Inside Campus Africa Magazine led by her publisher Mr Agare Israel; Students Union Government of the University of Calabar (SUG UNICAL) led by its president, Comr Afufu Anthony Ogar; Faculty of Arts Students Association of the University of Calabar (FASA UNICAL) led by her president, Comr Ime Prosper; Association of Institute of Public Policy and Administration Students of the University of Calabar (AIPPAS UNICAL) led by her president, Comr Francis Ogbaj; Comr Okang maintained that he was misinterpreted by the press. 

Comr Okang who explained that he was speaking on mentorship, while addressing students of the University of Calabar on their 2017 Students Week symposium at the UNICAL International Conference Centre, informed that he was a political mentee. He said cultism is a social vice and utterly condemnable. His words, 'Cultism is a social vice; it is not good. You don't need to be a cultist to be respected. 

'The issue of cultism has become mundane and outdated… It's no more trending', he continued. 

While particularly addressing the team from Inside Campus Africa Magazine, Comr Okang informed that the Government of Cross River State is running a collaboration with the European Union on Proliferation of Firearms which provides cultists with the alternative of dropping their arms and define a decent means of livelihood. 

While receiving SUG UNICAL team, Comr Okang who commended the both houses of the National Assembly, charged Malabites and Malabresses to lend credence to the #NotTooYoungToRun bill, expressing optimism that the bill will see the lime light of day and presidential accent. 

Comr Okang told the FASA UNICAL contingent to focus on their academics which is the primary aim in the University. He charged them to strive to earn a degree that is employable and made their family proud. He informed them of the support of his office and personal support as an alumnus. 

The Governor's youthful and youth aide who appreciated AIPPAS – UNICAL visit informed them that there's a thing line between activism and intellectual prowess tasking them to sensitise youths on the EU Amnesty Programme against proliferation of small fire arms. 

He informed them of the 2017 International Youth Day and the intention of his ministry to celebrate it, albeit, in what he described as 'low key' stressing that 'beyond the razzmatazz of a street walk and all, that we will resort to intellectual engagement via symposia and seminars on leadership, entrepreneurship, etc.