The Nigeria Police Force NPF on Monday held a Youths Summit in Abuja to commemorate this year’s United Nations International Youth Day celebration, which was attended by Youth organizations across the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. FCT,Abuja
Addressing the submit the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Dr Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to recognising the pivotal role of the youths in national security and general development of the country.
The IGP Kayode Egbetokun affirmed that the Nigeria Police was eagerly anticipate engaging with young and brilliant minds from across the country.
He assured of constant engagement of the youth population in all the six geo-political zones saying”let us build a safer, more secure Nigeria by harnessing the energy and talents of our young people”.
The summit witnessed enriching experience, featuring thought-provoking discussions on youth empowerment, national security, and intelligence, with guest keynote speaker Prof. Olanrewaju Fagboun, a professor of Environmental Law and former Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University.
The event also included interactive sessions on crime prevention, conflict resolution, and community engagement, providing a platform for youths to share their ideas and perspectives. Additionally, innovative solutions developed by Nigerian youths will be showcased, highlighting their creativity and potential.
Speaking, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to cushioning the immediate pains of its policies that will herald a brighter future for Nigerian youths, rebuild Nigeria, and institutionalization a just and egalitarian society where every Nigerian youth will have equal opportunity to realize their utmost potential.
The Minister whose speech was read by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. James Sule highlights some government policies like operationalizing the student loan scheme program which gives every Nigerian youth equal opportunity to access higher education.
The Government’s approval of the new minimum wage, suspension of tariffs on essential food and drugs, and its recent support for local refining of petroleum products through crude sales to indigenous refineries in Naira are laudable initiatives that will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
According to him, “The ongoing Police Reforms initiative when completed will enunciate an integrated policing paradigm that will focus attention on rural communities to support food production and also harness our solid minerals potential, to foster sustainable development and economic growth. As we mark this year’s UN International Youth Day, let me reassure you of the Ministry of Police Affairs’ commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Youths to create an enabling environment that will support the realization of your dreams and aspirations.
He charged the youths for continuing engagement in constructive discourse with the Government to avoid actions and tendencies that will create avenues for our collective enemies to destabilize the Nigerian state.
On his own, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, called for another look at the old-fshioned way of Information and Intelligence Gathering in the country stressing that they were already obsolete and ineffective in today’s digital world.
DIG Argungu in a key note address at the occasion noted that the old Police regulations “appear to be uncertain and obsolete, and also, it was becoming harder for the regulations to keep up with technology “.
He stated that at the era of 21st Century, the need to recognise offences committed by computer and how electronic evidence c be obtained and preserved, can not be over stated.
DIG Argungu said that there was the need for the Summit to suggest and recommend better anticipating emerging issues “strategize more innovatively about the best policies and interventions for addressing and acting quickly to maximize its chances of success “
The PSC Chairman said that with globalisation, digitalisation and computerization era, intelligence gathering work ” is likely to become more electronically based and technology driven in business in everyday life”.
DIG Argungu said the inputs of the youths as the future leaders of tomorrow are so relevant that without it our nation “is bound to fail”.
He noted that the theme of the Summit “Enhancing Nigerian Youth value for National Security Intelligence ” is of utmost importance from the crucial issues discussed all over the world and designed for the core stakeholders whose interest is to employ all possible means for attaining the needed security and safety in Nigeria.
The PSC Chairman traced the major challenges and problems facing youths in contemporary Nigeria which included ineffective educational system that has resulted in unemployment, abject poverty, lack of jobs, ignorance and non functional education
