The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has described the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) as an important grassroots security organisation contributing to the protection of lives, community safety and national development, pledging the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the organisation.

The Minister stated this when the Commander-General and National Chairman of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Otunba James Udoma, led senior officers of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.

Olawande commended Vigilante personnel for the sacrifices they make daily in communities across Nigeria, describing their commitment as a demonstration of patriotism and service to humanity.

“The work you do is not ordinary. When men and women voluntarily put themselves at risk to save lives, protect communities and support the peace of the nation, that sacrifice must be recognised. You are operating at the grassroots, where many security challenges first emerge, and that presence is extremely important”.

He stressed that Nigeria’s youth population represents both a tremendous national asset and a strategic responsibility, noting that youth development cannot be separated from peace, security, employment and community development.

“We cannot talk about youth development without talking about security, and we cannot talk about national security without talking about our young people. We must give our youths opportunities to become productive citizens rather than allowing them to become vulnerable to crime, violence and social instability”.

Olawande assured the VGN that the Ministry would explore areas where both institutions could work together on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, community development, peacebuilding, volunteerism, civic responsibility and other programmes capable of positively engaging Nigerian youths.

The Minister said there is considerable room for a stronger partnership between the Ministry andnthe VGN, adding, “We are prepared to engage, identify practical areas of collaboration and develop programmes that will translate this relationship into measurable benefits for Nigerian youths and our communities.”

In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the VGN, ACG Igho Akeregha, Olawande acknowledged the importance of community-based intelligence and early intervention, saying, however, that collaboration must remain within the law and complement the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of Nigeria’s recognised security agencies.

Responding, the Commander-General and National Chairman of VGN, expressed appreciation to the Minister for recognising the sacrifices and contributions of VGN personnel nationwide.

Udoma said the visit was intended to strengthen institutional understanding and open a new chapter of cooperation between VGN and the Ministry of Youth Development.

“We are here not merely to pay a courtesy call, but to build a bridge between youth development and grassroots security. Our men and women are in the communities, villages, towns and neighbourhoods where Nigerians live. They see the challenges confronting our people, and they are often among the first responders when lives and property are at risk”.

He reaffirmed VGN’s determination to support government and statutory security institutions without seeking to usurp their responsibilities.

“VGN is not in competition with the Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, the DSS, the NSCDC or any other statutory security institution. We are a complementary grassroots security organisation. Our responsibility is to support the national security architecture, provide useful community-based information and help protect our communities within the limits of the law”.

The Commander-General further called for deliberate investment in Nigerian youths, describing them as the foundation upon which the country’s future security and prosperity would be built.

“If we want a safer Nigeria tomorrow, we must invest in our youths today. A young person who has skills, purpose, dignity and opportunity is an asset to the nation. VGN is prepared to work with the Ministry to mobilise our grassroots structures in support of youth empowerment, skills development, civic responsibility and peaceful community development”.

Udoma added: “Our message is simple: security is everybody’s responsibility.

“Government cannot do it alone, security agencies cannot do it alone, and community organisations cannot do it alone. We must build a partnership where every responsible institution contributes its strength to the protection and development of Nigeria”.