Youth leader tasks youth on productive engagement, state police support

Mr Mukhtar Akoshile, Vice President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has urged Nigerian youths to support the implementation of state policing, saying it is crucial to addressing prevailing security challenges.

​Akoshile, who also serves as the Deputy Director of the City Boy Movement (FCT), made the appeal on Friday in Abuja during the second edition of a 21 kilometre marathon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Apo Progressive Foundation (APF), a non-governmental organisation, to promote peaceful coexistence in commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

​He noted that community and state policing frameworks would not only secure local environments but also generate massive employment opportunities for young graduates.

​”Peace and security is our business. Nobody, no police, no soldier will come and secure your environment more than the way you can secure it. That is why there is a slogan that says security begins with you.

​”By the time there is a framework for state policing, our young graduates will be more employed. It is just about yourself, securing your environment, noticing movements, and sharing intelligence.

​”Unlike the regular military framework where personnel often wait for central instructions before they strike, state policing allows the governor or the FCT Minister to give swift directives to neutralise threats based on localised signals,” Akoshile said.

​He further condemned the use of violence or destabilisation tactics by political actors, alleging that opposition elements were fueling certain security challenges to create mistrust in the current administration.

​”I granted an interview last week, and I maintain that if you want to take power, take it through your ballots. Talk to the people who own the streets.

​”You young people are the generals of your local areas. Let politicians come and dialogue with you. It is not by using any other means to take power forcefully,” he stated.

​The NYCN leader expressed worry over some youths staging street protests to demand the resignation of elected officials, noting that such approaches do not align with the patriotism required to build the nation.

​”Today’s democracy, Nigeria’s independence, is plus one today. We have a series of young people out there on the streets saying somebody must go or resign. I do not think that is what we need at this particular time.

​”What we need is to see how we can contribute our experience, professionalism, development strategies, and community efforts to seeing how Nigeria can be greater,” he added.

​He commended the resilience of the youth present, stating that their willingness to dedicate time to chart a way forward, despite their various business plans and office commitments, proved there was immense hope for the country.

​Akoshile lauded President Bola Tinubu for listening to the yearnings of the younger generation, particularly regarding leadership positioning.

​He recalled that the youth constituency, led by the NYCN, successfully protested the initial consideration of a septuagenarian for the youth ministry.

Akoshile added that this had led to the appointment of Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who is under 40 years old, as the Minister of State for Youth Development.

​”President Tinubu has said he wants to hand over Nigeria to the younger generation.

“When he came on board, someone above 70 years was initially linked to the Ministry, but the NYCN and other youth bodies said ‘No, this is not what you promised us.’

​”Before we knew it, we had somebody less than 40 years of age as the Minister. This gives us hope that sooner or later, it could be anybody from this gathering holding an exalted position,” he said.

​While commending the event’s organisers for using sports to foster unity, fitness, and peace, Akoshile expressed solidarity with families affected by insecurity.

He, particularly, sympathised with the victims of the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, and prayed for their safe and speedy release.

​The youth leader also urged the members of the foundation to remain steadfast, assuring them that the NYCN would help bridge the gap between grassroots organisations and top government structures.

These, he said, included the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) led by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the presidency.

​”No effort is wasted. It is from this kind of group that opportunities for employment, scholarships, empowerment, and government engagement will emerge.

“Do not let anybody cajole you that you are wasting your time,” Akoshile added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen