The Federal Government on Thursday unveiled the logo and features of the Young and Secure project, whose objective is enhanced collaboration between youth and the police towards strengthening national security.
The project, jointly unveiled by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and her Youth Development counterpart, Ayodele Olawande, at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja, is a core initiative of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is also aimed at restoring trust and renewing the hope of young Nigerians in the Police Force.
Speaking at the event, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of every Nigerian citizen.
“I am truly delighted to stand before you today alongside my esteemed colleague, the Minister of State for Youth Development, as we unveil the goal of the Young and Secure Project, which is to enhance the collaboration between the youth and the police towards strengthening national security.
“It elevates the role of the Nigerian youth in the security architecture of the nation, as the platform empowers this very vibrant segment of society to be watchguards and active participants in ensuring the safety and security of their communities.
“The essence of the initiative is rooted in the belief that we are all police, each with a responsibility to contribute to the protection and well-being of our nation,” she stressed.
The minister further said: “The Nigerian youth embody an indomitable spirit despite the myriad challenges we face, our spirit remains unbroken, our determination unwavering.”
In his contribution, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, noted that “the nation has grappled with significant challenges in bridging the gap between youth and law enforcement agencies. He noted that the erosion of trust and understanding between these vital segments of society necessitated the urgent need for proactive and innovative solutions.”
In this context, he disclosed: “The Young and Secure initiative emerges as a critical platform to address this pressing issue and forge a new era of collaboration, respect, and mutual empowerment between our youth and law enforcement agencies.
“As we unveil the logo and outline the features of this initiative today, I urge all stakeholders present to embrace this opportunity for collaboration and dialogue.
“Our success in achieving the objectives of Young and Secure hinges upon the collective efforts of government agencies, civil society organisations, the media, and, most importantly, the active participation of our youth and all other stakeholders in the Nigerian dream.”
Earlier, the representative of the Inspector General of Police, DIG Dasuki Galadachi, stated that reforms in the police are ongoing and the youth help desk is an addition to what the present leadership reactivated to enable citizens to report any challenges to the police.
“We have a Post Provost Marshall, Escort, IGP Monitoring Unit, Human Rights Desk, and Police Complaint Response Unit, and with the advent of police community policing and social media such as X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and the youth desk, Nigerians can interface through social media to seek redress of their genuine complaints,” he said
