A non-governmental Foundation, Youth Rescue International Development Organization has graduated 12 former drug addicts and cultists from Rivers and Plateau States after an intensive transformative training, during the weekend.
The graduands, part of sets 17 and 18, underwent a transformative process, with 12 out of 20 young individuals graduating from its transformation programme, overcoming struggles with cultism and drug addiction.
The Executive Director of the Organization, Nature Kieghie said, the programme’s focus on spiritual guidance and support has proven effective in transforming lives and restoring hope to those who thought they had lost their way.
Kieghie, a former Niger Delta agitator, drug addict and cult member himself, shared his personal story of redemption through Jesus in 2003 inspiring his mission to help others.
He asserted that the organization, which has been operating for nearly 15 years provides a structured training programme aimed at guiding participants towards a path of redemption and self-discovery, just as the graduates were commissioned to spread the message of hope and redemption to others still trapped in similar struggles.
According to him; “If I had not shared the transformative power of Jesus with others, they may have missed out on this life-changing opportunity.
” We charge these graduates to go out and seek those who are struggling, that they too may experience the redemptive power of Jesus and undergo a similar transformation.”
Meanwhile, some Graduates shared their experiences, with some planning to acquire skills or return to school.
Kennedy Ernest, a recent graduate of the programme shared his inspiring story of overcoming drug addiction and finding redemption through the programme.
“I was trapped in drug abuse for a long time, and it was a problem I couldn’t overcome on my own,” Ernest said in an interview.
“I saw my family suffer because of my addiction, but by God’s grace, I found this organisation and I’m now a changed person.”
Ernest credits the organisation’s Biblical training programme for his transformation, noting that no medication was involved in the process. “We only went through the word, and it changed me,” he said.