Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said empowerment of young people through education, employment, technology, economic opportunity and inclusion in governance development process is sustainable way of fighting insecurity in any society
Governor Ododo stated this at the 2026 Kogi Youth Security Summit, with the theme, “Building a Secure Kogi Together: Empowering Youth as the First Line of Peace and Community Security.”
Gov. Ododo said government must address the conditions that make young people vulnerable to crime, stressing that creating opportunities for the youth is an important part of securing the future of the state.
“Security is not just about guns, but about education, employment, technology, economic empowerment and inclusion,” the Governor said, adding that “a society that wants lasting peace must first secure the future of its young people.”
Governor Ododo disclosed that his administration is expanding opportunities in education, agriculture, mining, technology and entrepreneurship to ensure that young people could turn their skills and qualifications into sustainable means of livelihoods.
“A certificate must find an opportunity to become a livelihood, and talent must find a platform on which it can flourish,” he said.
He linked the state’s infrastructure and economic development initiatives to its broader security strategy, saying investments that create opportunities for young people would give them a greater stake in the peace and stability of their communities.
The Governor also identified technology as an emerging component of security, noting that criminal networks were increasingly exploiting the digital space for recruitment, communication and misinformation.
He noted that engineering students at the Confluence University of Science and Technology were working on drone technology, describing young innovators as part of the intellectual response required to counter emerging security threats.
Governor Ododo urged youths in the state to reject thuggery, cultism, drug abuse and other forms of criminality, while encouraging them to work with security agencies and report threats within their communities.
“Reporting danger is not betrayal. It is a responsibility. It is patriotism. It is love for your community,” he said.
He further said the state government would continue to support security agencies and initiatives that promote skills, discipline and responsible citizenship, but stressed that sustainable security required the participation of communities and other stakeholders.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, Abdulrahman Abdulmumin, commended the administration of Governor Ododo for prioritising youth development and security, urging young people to shun crime, drug abuse and political violence and embrace entrepreneurship and peace.
He called for regular engagement between the government and youths on issues affecting them, saying, “if we secure the youth, we secure the future.”
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, thanked the Governor for creating the platform for engagement with youth and urged young people in the state to understand security protocols, avoid spreading unverified information and build skills and enterprises as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
Speaking on behalf of security agencies in the state, the Commissioner of Police, represented by CSP William Aya, said sustained engagement with youths could contribute to peace and security.
Earlier in his keynote address, CSP Yusuf Haruna (rtd.) stressed the need for sustained youth engagement, skills acquisition and greater youth participation in leadership, describing them as shared responsibilities essential to building a safer and more stable society.
