Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on youths to support security agencies, shun criminal activities and embrace initiatives that promote peace and safety in their communities.
Ododo made the call on Thursday in Lokoja while delivering the keynote address at the Kogi Youth Security Summit 2026, themed “Building a Secure Kogi Together: Empowering Youth as the First Line of Peace and Community Security.”
The governor said sustainable security required more than the use of guns and ammunition, stressing that education, employment, technology and youth empowerment were essential to addressing the root causes of insecurity.
He said his administration remained committed to creating opportunities for young people through free and compulsory education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology, responsible mining and infrastructure development.
“Development is security because development gives people something valuable to protect,” Ododo said.
Highlighting the role of technology in strengthening security, the governor commended engineering students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) for their innovations in drone technology.
He urged young people to acquire digital skills, embrace innovation and develop technological solutions that could contribute to community safety and improve security operations.
Ododo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and security agencies for their efforts to combat insecurity.
He urged youths to shun cultism, drug abuse, political thuggery and other criminal activities capable of threatening peace and stability in the state.
The governor further called on residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could help prevent crime and protect lives and property.
He cautioned against the spread of misinformation, hate speech and unverified reports on social media, emphasising the importance of responsible communication in promoting public safety.
“Reporting danger is not betrayal. It is a responsibility. It is patriotism. It is love for your community,” he said.
Ododo urged young people to take an active role in building peaceful communities, noting that collective responsibility, responsible citizenship and sustained investment in youth development were essential to achieving lasting security in Kogi State.
