“School Is No Scam”: DESOPADEC Uses Debate, Drama To Warn Ukwuani Students Against Vices
By UCHE OGBODO
Taking the Education Message to the Grassroots
THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has intensified its youth enlightenment drive with a campaign aimed at convincing secondary school students that education remains a pathway to personal development and economic opportunity.
Under the theme “School Is No Scam,” the commission’s Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment (CD&PE) held an outreach at Umutu Mixed Secondary School and Umuaja Secondary School in Ukwuani Local Government Area on 30th September 2026.
The programme combined education advocacy with awareness about cultism, illicit drug use and gang recruitment.
Young People Face Pressure From Harmful Narratives
The Head of CD&PE, Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, said the campaign responded partly to online narratives that encourage young people to dismiss formal education as a waste of time.
She urged the students to reject such messages and focus on acquiring knowledge and skills that could strengthen their future prospects.
Ezonfade also encouraged the students to share what they learnt with other young people in their communities.
According to her, the campaign seeks not only to promote academic commitment but also to equip teenagers with information that can help them avoid destructive choices.
Drama Brings the Dangers of Cultism to Life
The campaign used practical presentations to make its message more relatable.
Miss Honeywell Eburajolo discussed the economic and moral advantages of academic discipline, while Mr. James Adjevabor presented a drama showing how drug abuse and cultism can undermine the ambitions of young people.
Rather than relying solely on lectures, the organisers used the interactive format to encourage students to reflect on the consequences of their decisions.
The programme also highlighted the broader connection between education, responsible behaviour and community development.
DESOPADEC Leadership Gets Commendation
Ezonfade commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the DESOPADEC Board, led by Chairman Chief John Obukokwho Nani and Managing Director/CEO Chief Festus Ochonogor, for supporting grassroots youth development initiatives in oil-producing communities.
At the school level, the Principal of Umutu Mixed Secondary School, Mrs. All Ifeoma Angela Ogonegbu, welcomed the intervention.
She described the programme as particularly important for character formation. Nevertheless, she urged DESOPADEC to address the school’s shortage of classroom furniture.
According to her, the shortage of desks and chairs remains an urgent concern for students.
Board Member Pledges Support for Alma Mater
Representing Surveyor Azuka Enebeli, the DESOPADEC Board member representing Ukwuani Ethnic Nationality, Engr. Harry Nwachukwu assured the schools of continued attention to their infrastructure needs.
Enebeli, who attended both Umutu Mixed Secondary School and Umuaja Secondary School, was described as committed to improving conditions in his former schools.
The intervention therefore extended the campaign beyond behavioural education to the wider question of the learning environment.
Debate Gives Students a Voice
The programme concluded with an inter-school debate on “School Is No Scam,” giving students an opportunity to defend their views on the relevance of education.
Umuaja Secondary School secured the first and second positions, while Umutu Mixed Secondary School took the third and fourth places.
The winners received educational materials and cash prizes.
The event attracted community leaders, teachers, education stakeholders and DESOPADEC officials. Among them were Mr. Afe Robinson Orumohi, Divisional Head, Community Development; Mrs. Etume Okeoghene, Divisional Head, Public Enlightenment; Mr. Uche Ozue, Coordinator, Obiaruku Area Office; Mr. Adibor F., Principal of Umuaja Secondary School; and Mr. Igbe A., an English teacher at Umuaja Secondary School.
Ultimately, the Ukwuani outreach placed two connected issues at the centre of the discussion: keeping young people in education and protecting them from social pressures that can undermine their future.
