The Edo State Government has launched a major youth-centred initiative, Project RISE — Resist Initiation, Securing Education, aimed at stamping out cultism and equipping young people with skills and opportunities for a more secure future.

Led by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duty to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the anti-cultism campaign represents a bold effort to tackle the growing menace of cult-related violence and criminality in Edo State.

According to Uriesi Aarebamen Alex, who is coordinating the programme, Project RISE goes beyond awareness. “It is a movement to rescue the future of our youth,” he said. “Cultism has robbed many of their potential. Edo youth deserve better — and we are taking action.”

The campaign will run across multiple media platforms — from television, radio and social media to university outlets, newspapers, and grassroots communication channels. Its aim is to sensitise young people on the dangers of cultism while offering practical alternatives through vocational training, education, and mentorship.

In partnership with the Nigeria Police Force Anti-Cultism Unit and the Department of State Services (DSS), the programme will also involve security-focused workshops to educate young people on the legal consequences and life-threatening risks of joining cult groups.

A major pillar of the initiative is the enforcement of the Edo State Anti-Cultism Law, passed in January 2025. The law imposes prison sentences of 15 to 21 years for individuals convicted of cult-related offences — part of Governor Okpebholo’s firm stance on youth safety and law enforcement.

To further strengthen public engagement, the government will host a Statewide Conference on Youth Safety and Anti-Cultism between July and August 2025. The conference is expected to bring together the Police Anti-Cultism Unit, DSS officers, student union leaders, victims of cult violence, state agencies and civil society organisations. It will serve as a platform for policy development and collaborative action against cultism in Edo State.

Project RISE is supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth-based NGOs. Their collective backing signals a strong commitment to a safer, more prosperous future — where cultism no longer threatens the potential of Edo’s youth.