The Ogun State government has pledged to partner with the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) towards addressing youth-related challenges.
At a youth security summit on Friday in Abeokuta, the state capital, which was organised by the state chapter of NYO in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Governor Dapo Abiodun said that his administration is prioritising youth-led strategies, adding that it has taken measurable steps that reinforce youth empowerment as a foundation for community security.
Represented his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the governor said that the youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the defenders, innovators, and nation-shapers of today.
He stated that their insight, creativity, and courage are essential to the safety and progress of the state, adding that when young people embrace leadership, insecurity retreats; and that communities grow stronger when they lead with purpose.
Abiodun highlighted the state government’s initiatives to empower youth and promote community security, which included training over 21,000 youths in vocational and digital skills, and strengthening the Amotekun Corps. He then urged the youths to contribute to securing their communities through community intelligence, digital early-warning tools, and civic influence.
‘The challenges of our time — cybercrime, cultism, drug abuse, highway threats, and emerging community vulnerabilities — demand approaches that combine institutional structure with the insight, creativity, and innovation of our youth.
‘Youth-led security strategies do not mean assigning policing duties to young people. Rather, they refer to structured avenues where the youth contribute meaningfully to securing our society through community intelligence, digital early-warning tools, civic influence, campus peacebuilding, social media awareness, neighborhood vigilance, and technology-enabled reporting systems. These approaches capitalize on the unique strengths of our youth — their digital fluency, social engagement, and deep insight into community trends’, he said.
The state Chairman of the NYO, Saka Olanreaju explained that the summit was a significant step towards promoting peace and security, stressing that the youths recognize the importance of taking an active role in shaping the security narratives.
‘We believe that security is a collective responsibility, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our state remains safe and secure. Let us work together to make Ogun state a safer and more prosperous place for all’, he stated.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi commended NYO for organising what he described as ‘timely and forward-looking summit’.
He said that the youths are not only the leaders tomorrow, but they are key stakeholders of today, adding that no nation can attain sustainable security and development without the active participation of its youths
The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Oba Saka Matemilola highlighted key strategies for promoting national safety, noting that security awareness must include skill acquisition, education on the dangers of illicit drugs and empowering young people to become positive influencers within their communities
Represented by Chief Amusan Saheed, the monarch added that youths should also support security agencies by serving as intelligence sources when necessary.
The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi emphasised the need to educate younger generations on moral values and the dangers of drug abuse, explaining that when young people are properly guided, it becomes easier to build a peaceful and responsible society.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo cautioned the youths against careless use of social media, warning that sharing sensitive information such as locations can endanger lives, and discouraged the culture of night partying, stating that it increases vulnerability to crime.
