Youth alienation from decision-making inimical to security, CDS warns

Nigeria to overcome terrorism soon, says Aregbesola

The alienation of youths from decision-making processes and developmental activities portends a great danger to national security, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has warned.

Speaking yesterday at a two-day Youth and Security Summit, organised by the Abuja Global Shapers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the CDS said the development could encourage violent crimes, anarchy and political instability.

He also expressed fears that the action might lead to destruction of critical infrastructure, loss of livelihoods and stagnant economy.

Irabor, who argued that national security connotes freedom from danger or threat to the nation’s ability to defend and develop itself, promote its core values and legitimate interests, as well as the ability to enhance the well-being of citizenry, insisted that there must be substantial investment in job opportunities, access to education and good healthcare for Nigerian youths to thrive and contribute positively to the society.

Noting that there is a strong correlation between youth engagement and national security, he explained that a meaningful interaction and involvement of the youth populace in governance and administration is likely to facilitate a peaceful and conducive environment for economic growth and development.

His words: “Youth engagement is essentially making the youth ‘part and parcel’ of the fabric of the stability and safety of society towards enhancing national security.

“The converse also holds true, a decrease in the level of youth interaction and alienation in the decision-making processes and developmental activities would result in increase in violent crimes, anarchy and political instability, leading to destruction of critical infrastructure, loss of livelihoods and by extension, a retardation in the economy and impinged national security.

“Thus, it is essential that youths know, understand and imbibe certain core values and qualities that would guide them into being positively engaged towards enhanced national security.”

The CDS added: “The Nigerian youth must, therefore, inculcate the spirit of self-discipline and submission to legitimate authority for a stable and progressive society. I, therefore, urge you to be positively engaged in this regard.

“This is my renewed call for the re-emphasis of value-driven programmes. I will like to implore you all to be agents of value addition. Values often influence one’s behaviour as they aid decision-making between alternatives. I often tell people not to strive for legacies, rather pursue value addition and eventually, you will have a legacy.

“One must build values in the aspects of courage, candour, competence anchored on skills and commitment in every endeavour. Stakeholders at all levels must strive to create a system that grows the potential of our youths, while discouraging them from engaging in ignoble ventures.”

ALSO speaking, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, assured Nigerians that the nation would soon overcome the challenges of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, among others.

Earlier in his welcome address, Abuja Global Shapers Curator, Umar Abdulmalik, noted that the initiative would bridge the gap between youths and security agencies to restore peace in communities.