The Ondo State House of Assembly recently organized a public hearing on a bill aimed at prohibiting unlawful societies and cultism in all learning institutions and communities across the state. The bill, if passed into law, seeks to modify existing laws on cultism and unlawful societies in the state.
Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, emphasized that cultism has eroded the moral foundation of the educational system and endangered lives. He stressed the need for stiffer punishment to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Oladiji urged parents, teachers, community leaders, and religious leaders to intensify sensitization efforts and continuously engage young people on the dangers of cultism.
The bill is part of the state’s efforts to tackle insecurity and promote moral values in society. The public hearing provided an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the law-making process, ensuring that the bill reflects the will and aspirations of the people.
The Deputy Parliamentary Secretary and sponsor of the bill, Oluwatoyin Allen, lauded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for maintaining peace and initiating development projects in the state. He described the bill as timely and essential to the state’s socio-economic and educational growth.
The proposed law prescribes stiffer penalties for cultism, with cultism being described as a capital social offense that should attract stricter penalties to serve as a deterrent to others. The lawmakers emphasized the importance of participatory lawmaking and encouraged participants to contribute meaningfully to the discussions.
Additionally, the Ondo State House of Assembly also held a public hearing on a bill to establish the Ondo State Coastal and Waterways Management Agency (OSCWMA). The proposed agency aims to manage, protect, and develop the state’s coastal and riverine areas, tackling vandalism, kidnapping, and other crimes in the coastal region
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