Strategic Engagement at a Critical Moment
The President of the UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, paid a high‑level working visit to Deputy Commissioner of Police Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), during the period of the End Bad Governance Protests. The visit finalized preparations for the first‑ever UNESCO‑REF Nigeria Police Youth Summit, convened on 12 August 2024 in Abuja to mark UN International Youth Day.
This milestone initiative was designed to strengthen cordial relations between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian youth, directly addressing the urgent need for trust‑building, civic education, and inclusive participation in national security and governance.
National Significance
The Summit represents a strategic intervention in Nigeria’s democratic journey, aligning with UNESCO‑REF’s institutional mandate to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan emphasized:
“The Nigeria Police Youth Summit is not merely an event, but a national platform for reconciliation and partnership — a covenant between the Police and our youth to build trust, respect, and shared responsibility.”
Summit Proceedings
- Delegates: Over 400 participants from all 36 states and the FCT, including youth leaders, police representatives, civil society actors, and government officials.
- Opening Ceremony: NYSC corps members performed traditional dances (Ekombi, Bàtá, Swange, Royal Court), celebrating unity in diversity.
- Keynote Addresses:
- IGP Kayode Egbetokun framed youth as essential partners in security.
- Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan articulated youth as change agents bridging technology and community ties.
- Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, tied the Summit to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
- Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun addressed the trust gap and accountability frameworks.
- Youth Q&A: Delegates pressed the IGP on protest management, corruption within the Force, raids on civil society, and protection for farmers. His candid responses underscored the value of open dialogue.
- Thematic Sessions: Breakouts on crime prevention, conflict resolution, social media engagement, and community policing produced actionable proposals.
Strategic Recommendations
- Youth Advisory Councils at federal, state, and local levels with genuine influence in security policy.
- Technology‑enabled intelligence networks for youth to contribute securely to community safety.
- Transparency reforms to rebuild trust, including independent oversight and public reporting.
- Economic empowerment as a security strategy, integrating skills training and entrepreneurship.
- Continuous dialogue, institutionalizing regular youth–police summits nationwide.
Institutional Collaboration
DCP Adejobi welcomed the initiative, affirming the Nigeria Police Force’s readiness to partner with UNESCO‑REF in advancing youth‑focused programmes that reduce friction and build mutual respect. He noted that the Summit provides a structured avenue for dialogue, ensuring that youth voices are constructively integrated into national security discourse.
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan underscored that the Summit is part of UNESCO‑REF’s broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s attainment of the SDGs. By creating a platform for constructive engagement, the initiative will not only strengthen police‑youth relations but also contribute to national stability, social cohesion, and inclusive development.
Conclusion
The UNESCO‑REF Nigeria Police Youth Summit marked a turning point in police–youth relations, convened deliberately in the wake of the August 2024 protests. It demonstrated that Nigeria’s security imperatives and youth capabilities align naturally, and that no security strategy can succeed without youth cooperation.
With the groundwork laid, the challenge now is institutional will: to turn frameworks into operations and ensure that this partnership becomes a foundation for transformation.
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