Crime: Bayelsa volunteer chair, Asanakpo calls for aggressive parental guidance

By Timi Black

The Bayelsa State Volunteer, chairman, Hon. Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo has advocated for an aggressive parental guidance and monitoring to discourage drug addiction and other related crimes perpetrated by youths and aged children in the society.

Speaking during a four day program with the theme: “Technical Workshop for the Development of Community-Based Crime Prevention Strategy”, sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Chairman did not mince words when he attributed the rising rates of crime in the society to drug use and drug abuse by young youths in the state.

According to him, “it is about time parents and guardians pay more attention to the individual actions and omissions of their children.

He stated further that parents must insist on knowing the friends of their children so as to determine and discourage them from spending time with friends who would influence them negatively.

The Chairman equally insisted that fighting crime was a collective responsibility therefore, youth leaders, paramount rulers, women leaders must come together in ensuring that the society is safe, and devoid of crime.

“These stakeholders must serve as watch dogs in monitoring the drug joints springing up in the neighbourhood to avoid escalation of drug abuse and criminality in the society.

Asanakpo also expressed his appreciation to the Prosperity Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for nominating him to be part of the 4-day workshop with participants drew from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

The workshop was quite educative and enlightening as the international facilitators open up minds of participants to new dimensions of crime control strategies. He hope to bring the experiences gained to bear in the years ahead.