Nigerian Youths Unite At POCACOV/ECAPI/Playland Anti-Crime Crossover Night
Thousands gathered at the Playland Group Arena in Ikotun, Lagos State, December 31, for a New Year’s Eve celebration that merged entertainment with social reform, in a powerful display of youth engagement and community action.
The epoch making event, which featured Nigerian music sensation Oritse Femi, marked a collaborative effort between law enforcement and private sector leaders to combat youth-related crimes.
The celebration, jointly organized by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI), and Playland Group, transformed traditional New Year’s festivities into a platform for youth empowerment and anti-crime advocacy.
DSP Adoh Nwakaego, speaking for POCACOV’s National Coordinator, delivered a compelling message about life choices and personal development. This was reinforced by POCACOV’s Southwest Chairman, Amb. Samuel Eniola Adam, who emphasized redirecting youth energy toward productive endeavors.
The event’s security framework, praised by Superintendent of Corps Oluwaseun Abolurin of Lagos NSCDC Command, demonstrated effective inter-agency collaboration. Playland Group CEO Samod Sodiq Kolawole acknowledged support from key state figures, including Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
An awards ceremony recognized community safety champions, with honors going to several distinguished individuals. The success of the event has prompted organizers to establish it as an annual tradition, creating a sustainable platform for youth engagement and crime prevention in Lagos State.
The celebration, which seamlessly blended entertainment with advocacy, sets a new precedent for community-based crime prevention initiatives in Nigeria’s commercial capital. As the final hours of 2024 gave way to 2025, the event stood as a testament to the power of unified action in addressing youth-related social challenges.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
