The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Itire-Ikate Chapter and a Scotland-based non-governmental organisation, The Peace Law Project have urged local government authorities nationwide to engage and provide opportunities for the youths positively.
The groups made the call at a one-day roundtable event which focused on building peace and expanding access to legal representation in Nigeria and eradicating gang-related violence among the youths.
The event which held on Saturday in Lagos brought together participants including youth leaders, legal experts, scholars, and community members.
In his keynote address, Prof. Oladayo Tade of the University of Ibadan highlighted the importance of empowering, recognising and including the youth in governance.
He urged the local government managers to take on the responsibility of providing opportunities and engaging with young people while also emphasizing the significance of respecting and upholding the fundamental rights of individuals.
He stressed, “when the rights of people are violated either through arrests by security operatives, this not only undermines peace but also poses a threat to the fabric of society. I therefore urged the security agencies to carry out their duties diligently, without oppressing the people they are meant to protect.”
The Council Leader of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Hammed Oladipupo Idris, who represented the Executive Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Ahmed Apatira, called on the youths to maintain peace and orderliness within the community and shun violence.
Recognizing the role of the local government administration, he stressed the need for increased efforts in sensitizing and orienting the younger generation to promote peace and tranquillity across the nation.
A legal practitioner, Barrister Dayo Bello, shed light on the rights of an accused person upon being arrested and taken to court.
He advocated upholding the constitutional rights of the suspect during the arrest to ensure a fair and just legal trial.
According to him, “an accused person possesses several fundamental rights from the moment of arrest. One of these rights is the right to remain silent, which allows the accused to withhold any self-incriminating statements during the arrest process. This right serves to protect individuals from potential coercion or unfair treatment.”
Prof. Shina Alimi shed light on the significance of having access to legal assistance in everyday situations, such as neighbourhood conflicts and traffic offences.
“The purpose of this discussion was to address the challenges individuals face when they find themselves in legal predicaments due to their lack of knowledge about the law,” he said.
Speaking on the aims and objectives of the event, Comrade Oshodi John Ayodele, the Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Itire-Ikate Local Branch, said it was to foster effective communication with the youth while ensuring that they are aware of their rights and wrongdoings.
He added, “By educating them about potential offences and guiding them on the right path, the meeting aimed to prevent unnecessary arrests and legal consequences.”
During the meeting, Comrade Oshodi also expressed his appreciation to Hon. Ahmed Apatira, the Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, for his unwavering support and commitment to youth development.
“Hon. Apatira has played a fatherly role in the youth constituency, always ready to lend a helping hand when it comes to the growth and progress of the youth.
I want to recommend that similar programs should be replicated in various Local Government Areas across Lagos State. By extending such initiatives, more young individuals can benefit from the knowledge and guidance provided, empowering them to make informed decisions and contribute positively to society” he said.
Lateef Aremu, the project officer of the Peace Love Project, Scotland, said “The primary objective of today’s program was to provide a platform for open discussions, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative efforts to ensure peace and easy access to legal representation within the community.”
