The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the United Nations (UN) held a summit in Abuja to mark International Youth Day. The event aimed to gather youth in the country to engage in dialogue about their responsibility in maintaining national security. This meeting followed a series of demonstrations by the students demanding reforms in government policies that have caused hardships in the region. The summit’s main goal was to inspire and empower young people by encouraging them to engage in meaningful discussions about ways they can help create a stronger and secure country.
Over 400 attendees filled the summit arena, from government officials and Security Agencies to youth representatives. Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigerian police chief, addressed the audience. Also, the police organised the collaborative event “Enhancing the Nigerian Youth’s Value for National Security Intelligence” in conjunction with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in recognition of International Youth Day. Officials stated that the summit’s purpose was to investigate how young people contribute to national Security issues and to provide opportunities for increasing youth involvement.
Partnering with young Nigerians can drive significant national change.
Egbetokun emphasised the importance of staying dedicated to the young people during the event. He says their commitment to each other involves providing assistance, boosting confidence, and working towards a more promising tomorrow for everyone. He expressed that they face a daunting challenge. As a result, he believes that by utilising the combined energy, innovation, and passion of young people, alongside the backing of their partners, they will successfully meet this challenge and bring about meaningful change.
During the summit, the police engaged in hands-on discussions with young people about preventing crime, resolving conflicts, using Social Media responsibly, and connecting with the community. Leading up to the summit, young people in various cities recently protested against the rising cost of living. The demonstrations which are started on August 1 and lasted for ten days. Participants point to government measures, such as the removal of Fuel Subsidies implemented a year ago, as the cause of the nation’s deteriorating economy.
Nationwide protests resulted in a daily loss of about $325 million.
At the summit, law enforcement officials acknowledged that although the protesters may have started with noble intentions, they accidentally attracted opportunistic criminals seeking to exploit the situation. On his part, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, head of the Read and Earn Federation at UNESCO, emphasised the importance of youth in the country as a precious resource. He mentioned that their main focus is empowering young people to see themselves as catalysts for change. He further stated that young people have the power to make a significant impact and bring about positive change.
Their knowledge of technology, social media, and modern communication tools positions them as key players in shaping innovative national security strategies. By leveraging their skills, they can improve community policing, gather intelligence more efficiently, and respond to crises more effectively. Security crackdowns led to an early decline in the protests, although Amnesty International reported that a minimum of 22 protesters were killed, with the majority of casualties occurring in the northern region. Recently, Doris Nkiruka, the minister of industry, Trade and investment, revealed that the protests resulted in a daily loss of about $325 million for the country.
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Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a co-founder of the RouQ and Company law firm and former professor, delivered the keynote address during the summit. He mentioned that security agencies and the youth need more trust. He mentioned that during the build-up to the Protest and its eventual occurrence, two distinct groups were involved, which are one consisting of people with legitimate concerns seeking to be heard by the nation and another consisting of individuals with malicious intentions looking to further their hidden agendas. This is precisely why discussions like these hold such significance. Leaders at the conference promised to enhance young people’s involvement in national security issues.