Maryam Aminu
The Coalition of Nigeria Youths on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA) has urged political leaders to invest more in young Nigerians with ideas, skills and leadership potential rather than creating incentives that make thuggery and violence appear more rewarding.
The call was made by the Director-General of CONYSSA, Ambassador Ade-Mario Emmanuel, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, with the coalition stressing that insecurity requires more than security operations and must be tackled by addressing the social, economic and infrastructural conditions that enable crime.
Ade-Mario expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing disparity in the way some political actors reward youths involved in thuggery compared with those who use their intellect and skills productively.
He noted that while some politicians could give as much as ₦1 million or more to thugs, youths with constructive ideas and intellectual capacity could struggle to receive even a fraction of such support.
According to him, such a pattern risks sending the wrong message to young Nigerians by creating the impression that thuggery, violence and other anti-social activities offer a faster route to financial rewards than education, hard work, patriotism and legitimate enterprise.
He therefore called on local government representatives, state chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to work together to develop practical and community-based solutions to insecurity.
Ade-Mario also drew attention to the country’s deteriorating road infrastructure, urging the government to urgently rehabilitate dilapidated roads, which he identified as potential enablers of kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.
He noted that poorly maintained and isolated roads can expose travellers and communities to greater security risks, stressing that road rehabilitation should therefore be viewed not only as an infrastructure or economic issue but also as part of the country’s broader security strategy.
CONYSSA commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ridwan Disu, for promoting intelligence-led and preventive policing, including community engagement, dialogue and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The coalition said modern policing must go beyond responding to crimes after they occur, stressing the importance of stronger community intelligence, early-warning mechanisms and cooperation between citizens and security agencies.
Ade-Mario also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing the Youth Confab and supporting the participation of young Nigerians within the 18-to-35 age bracket.
He described the President’s support as an important opportunity for young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in national affairs and begin preparing for leadership responsibilities.
According to him, the Youth Confab provides an avenue for young Nigerians to contribute ideas, engage one another and develop the leadership capacity required to take greater responsibility for the country’s future.
He said Nigeria must deliberately begin preparing its young population for leadership, using 2031 and subsequent political cycles as templates for building a new generation of competent, patriotic and responsible leaders.
DG CONYSSA stressed that youth development should go beyond political appointments and elections to include education, leadership training, entrepreneurship, skills development, professional growth and meaningful participation in community decision-making.
The coalition also commended the sacrifices of Nigeria’s security agencies and urged citizens to support lawful security efforts by providing credible information and cooperating with relevant authorities.
It maintained that sustainable security should ultimately be measured by whether Nigerians can travel, farm, work, worship and conduct their businesses without living in constant fear.
CONYSSA therefore called for greater investment in youth empowerment, employment, education, infrastructure and community-based security initiatives, stressing that government institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders, political actors and citizens must work together to address insecurity.
As Nigeria celebrates 66 years of independence, the coalition urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace patriotism, peace and responsible citizenship.
CONYSSA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting youth inclusion, community safety and constructive partnerships with security agencies, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on creating an environment where young people are encouraged to use their intellect, skills and energy positively.
It said the Nigeria of the future must be one where young Nigerians are prepared for leadership, communities are made safer and basic infrastructure is developed to support both economic activity and national security.
