Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has called on youths to take an active role in tackling insecurity, urging them to reject criminality and embrace education, entrepreneurship, technology and responsible citizenship as pathways to a safer and more prosperous society.
Ododo made the call at the Kogi Youth Security Summit 2026 in Lokoja, where he emphasised that sustainable security could not be achieved through arms and ammunition alone but required deliberate investment in education, employment, economic empowerment and social inclusion.
The governor, who described young people as critical partners in maintaining peace and stability, said their energy, creativity and intelligence must be channelled towards productive ventures rather than criminal activities.
According to him, a society seeking lasting peace must first secure the future of its young population by creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to development.
He said his administration had made education a major pillar of its development agenda, noting that the state’s free and compulsory education policy was also a strategic investment in security.
“Every child who remains in school is a child whose future is being protected. Every young person who acquires knowledge, discipline and skills is better positioned to make productive choices,” the governor said.
Ododo explained that his administration was expanding economic opportunities in agriculture, mining, technology, entrepreneurship and other sectors to address unemployment and reduce young people’s vulnerability to criminal recruitment.
He added that infrastructure development, the promotion of responsible mining, the Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone and other economic initiatives were designed to create jobs and provide a conducive environment for businesses and innovation.
The governor maintained that development and security were interconnected, arguing that people were more likely to protect their communities when they had legitimate livelihoods and a stake in the future.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policies aimed at expanding Nigeria’s productive capacity, while appreciating security agencies for their efforts to maintain peace in Kogi State.
On the changing nature of insecurity, Ododo called for greater use of technology in crime prevention, intelligence gathering and emergency response.
He disclosed that engineering students at the Confluence University of Science and Technology were working on drone technology, expressing confidence that young innovators could contribute significantly to strengthening the state’s security architecture.
The governor urged youths to become responsible voices both online and offline, warning against the spread of misinformation, hate speech and unverified security reports capable of triggering tension among communities.
He also encouraged young people to report suspicious activities through appropriate channels, stressing that responsible information-sharing could prevent attacks and save lives.
“Reporting danger is not betrayal. It is a responsibility. It is patriotism. It is love for your community,” he said.
Ododo further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, schools, civil society organisations and the private sector to collaborate with government and security agencies in building peaceful communities.
He charged participants to ensure that the summit produced practical initiatives and sustainable partnerships rather than ending with speeches.
“You are not the problem of Kogi State. You are one of the greatest solutions to the challenges facing Kogi State,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, said young people must be recognised as central partners in security efforts rather than viewed merely as potential sources of insecurity.
Anyebe, who delivered the welcome address, said youth participation was essential to effective community security, given their presence in schools, markets, motor parks and neighbourhoods across the state.
He cited United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises the role of young people in peacebuilding, and emphasised the importance of education, economic opportunities and fair treatment in preventing violent extremism.
The commissioner also acknowledged the efforts of the state and federal governments in strengthening security operations, including measures targeting vulnerable areas and the training of personnel under the National Forest Guards programme.
He urged youths to embrace four responsibilities: providing credible information to security agencies, verifying information before sharing it, rejecting recruitment into violence and pursuing productive ventures through skills acquisition, farming, technology, enterprise and sports.
Anyebe announced plans to establish Youth Peace Ambassadors across the state’s 21 local government areas, alongside a youth-security liaison channel to improve communication between young people and security leadership.
He added that the ministry would prioritise skills development and empowerment in communities vulnerable to criminal recruitment while promoting sports as a tool for peace and unity.
The commissioner appealed to security personnel to engage constructively with young people, describing them as valuable partners in identifying and addressing threats within their communities.
Also speaking at the summit, Chief Yusuf Haruna Abiona, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hay Bravo Security Limited, called for a shift from reactive security operations to a preventive system driven by community intelligence, early-warning mechanisms and collaboration.
Abiona, a Certified Protection Officer, said kidnapping, banditry, cultism, drug abuse, communal tensions, cybercrime and violent extremism required a coordinated response involving government, security agencies and local communities.
He argued that young people should be regarded as security assets capable of providing valuable information when properly engaged and guided by the rule of law.
However, he cautioned that intelligence gathering must not be confused with rumours, social media gossip, ethnic suspicion or vigilantism.
“Responsible security information must be verified, properly channelled and communicated to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
Abiona proposed the establishment of structured Youth-Security Community Liaison Platforms across the 21 local government areas to provide safe and reliable channels for communicating security concerns.
He also called for continuous security-awareness programmes, stronger community-based early-warning systems, digital and cyber awareness, drug-abuse prevention and improved cooperation among traditional institutions, religious leaders, community organisations and security agencies.
The security expert stressed that youth empowerment must form an integral part of the state’s security strategy, noting that education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, sports and legitimate employment could reduce the vulnerabilities exploited by criminal groups.
He outlined a five-point agenda for strengthening security in Kogi State, including the establishment of youth-security liaison networks, improved early-warning and response mechanisms, continuous security education, expanded economic opportunities for young people and stronger collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
Abiona urged security agencies to build lasting relationships with youths through regular dialogue and community outreach, insisting that effective security depended on trust, intelligence, partnership and accountability.
He called on participants to make the summit a turning point in the state’s approach to security by moving from suspicion to trust, reaction to prevention, and youth vulnerability to youth leadership.
The summit brought together government officials, security personnel, youth leaders and other stakeholders to discuss practical approaches to strengthening community safety and promoting sustainable peace across Kogi State.
