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Doris Ewo, Enugu

Peace and Good Governance Group, P3G, in Collaboration with The Nigeria Police Force, Enugu Command, on  Wednesday, December 13, 2023, organised a Youth Security Summit in a bid to enlighten the youths on security and the  need to shun societal vices, while conversing with security heads and stakeholders.

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The Youth Security Summit with the theme, “The Good Citizen”, aimed at reducing the menace of insecurity and inclusion of the youths in providing a serene environment for economy development had a large number of youths in attendance.

The Guest Lecturer, Professor Sam Amadi, Coordinator, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, stated that security was the critical driver of development, noting that “you cannot deliver an economy without security”.

“Our young people rightly or wrongly have lost confidence in the people who are leaders informally or formally to secure them and have resorted to dangerous self help”, he added.

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Amadi went further to call for the inclusion of the youths in matters of security and the need for government to assure the youths of safety in reference to the constitution which gives the state the right to protect its citizens.

Additionally, he acknowledged the need for the establishment of “South East Development and Security Council” to create coordination and enhance the work of the state police and other security agencies, suggesting that the security outfit ‘Ebubeagu’ should be changed to ‘Anyaoha’.

He observed the rising need for the development of a new political will to end Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, thereby removing excuses that will make Southeast a theatre of war, and also a continuous Youth Security Summit where the leaders will address the youths. He advised the youths to denounce violence and accept democracy, discourse and demonstration.

On his part, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, in his address opined that the strength of a nation “is built on the foundation of youths”, just like crimes are mostly committed by the youths, laying claims to the fact that youths are motivated by different factors which could be drug induced, unemployment and idleness.

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Stating that acts or omissions inimical to the peace of a state were punishable by law, he went on to appeal to the youths to be of good behaviour, imbibe ethical and moral orientation, emphasising on the role parents had to play and the need for education to make sure the youths have a set-up direction and a purposeful thinking.

Monday Diamond Ani, Convener of the summit, in his Address,  observed that the set of youths who perpetrate crime  “are guys on the street who feel angry at the high class and the mindset that Nigeria is no longer a better place”.

Calling for proper orientation with love, unity and a secured environment in the Southeast, Ani said: “If Nigeria must be good, it should start with everyone, not just me, not just you”.

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Enugu State Commissioner For Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu, in a panel session, stated that the government has a role to play beyond taking a criminal approach to fighting crime and dealing with insecurity.

Ekweremadu further revealed that one of his Key Performance Indicators, KPIs, is to have a high percentage and number of employment opportunities created for young people with importance on orientation and reorientation of this young people to engage and sensitze them on becoming good citizens of the state and country.

Other guests at the event were the Archbishop of Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, the Most. Rev. Prof. E. O Chukwuma (OON), Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Christopher Ede, Bishop Obi Onubuogu, HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo, HRH Igwe H. Edeani, among other heads of security agencies.