Kogi Youth Security Summit Will Strengthen Youth Role in Peacebuilding, Anyebe »

The Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, has described the forthcoming Kogi Youth Security Summit as a strategic platform for engaging young people in peacebuilding, crime prevention and community security across the state.

Anyebe, who is also Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the summit, said the event would provide an opportunity for government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and youth groups to develop practical strategies for strengthening security and preventing emerging threats at the community level.

The summit, organised by the Kogi State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi State Chapter, is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Kay Galaxy Event Centre, opposite the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lokoja.

Speaking with journalists ahead of the event, Anyebe said the theme, “Building a Secure Kogi Together: Empowering Youths as First Line of Peace and Community Security,” reflects the administration’s recognition of young people as critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and security.

According to him, security cannot be achieved by government and security agencies alone, stressing that young people, who constitute a significant part of the population, must be actively involved in efforts to identify, prevent and report threats within their communities.

He said the summit was designed to move beyond discussions and create an avenue for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify challenges affecting youth participation in community security and develop actionable recommendations that could contribute to a safer Kogi State.

Anyebe added that the event would also deepen collaboration between youths and security agencies while promoting responsible citizenship, early warning mechanisms, peaceful conflict resolution and community-based security initiatives.

The Commissioner said the organisers had invited traditional rulers, heads of security agencies in the state, civil society organisations, youth organisations and other critical stakeholders to ensure broad representation and meaningful contributions.

He said the expected participation of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as keynote speaker would further enrich the discussions and expose participants to national perspectives on contemporary security challenges and the role of citizens, particularly youths, in addressing them.

Anyebe also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and supporting security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

He equally praised Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for prioritising security and supporting initiatives aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.

The Commissioner said the Governor’s approach to security had demonstrated the importance of combining government action with community participation, noting that sustainable peace required cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders and citizens.

He urged young people across Kogi State to see the summit as an opportunity to contribute constructively to the state’s security conversation rather than merely attending as spectators.

Anyebe called on participants to come prepared with practical ideas and community-based solutions that could help address insecurity, youth vulnerability, drug abuse, violent extremism, cultism and other challenges capable of undermining peace and development.

The Commissioner expressed optimism that the summit would produce recommendations capable of strengthening the partnership between government, security agencies and youths, while laying the foundation for sustained youth-led peace and community security initiatives.

Governor Ododo is the Chief Host of the summit, while Anyebe is the host. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Lokoja.