As part efforts to engender a harmonious and rancor-free relationship among students, youths, and Security Agencies in the State, the Ekiti Ministry of Youth Development, has organized a Youth, Students and Security Stakeholders Engagement Programme in Ado-Ekiti.
Addressing participants at the forum in Ado-Ekiti, the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji called for improved relations amongst youths, students and security agencies in order for the state to overcome all its security challenges
Governor Oyebanji who spoke at the event through his Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen Ebenezer Ogundana said Youth, Students and the security agencies have important roles to play in securing the State, hence the need for all parties to work together to achieve the common goal.
Oyebanji urged the representatives of the youths and students to review activities on the communities and campuses, to ensure that those posing as security threats are exposed and made to face the wrath of the law
While commending the security agencies for their roles in ensuring that Ekiti State remains as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, the Governor however stated that his administration would not look on and allow youths and students to be harassed under any guise.
The Governor however urged the youths and students to expose the bad eggs amongst them by volunteering information to the security agencies.
According to him: “Let the students and youths leaders go and tell their colleagues to always respect the law. Let us live together as family members. We all know the criminals among us, let us expose them. Because if the bad ones are not pointed out and used as scapegoats, then you will continue to suffer unduly. It is not right for you to shield criminals.”
The Governor also advised hoteliers operating in the state to be security conscious stressing that however their businesses interests should not be done at the expense of the overall security of the populace.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth Develoment, Mr. Adesola Adedayo, commended the security agencies for helping to secure the State.
The Commissioner stated that the programme was organized to further raise the safety measures in Ekiti and not intended to diminish the security contributions of security agencies to the peace and stability being enjoyed in the state.
He stressed that the occasional cases of brutality against youth and students by security operatives as well as allegations of extortion, harassment, and the profiling of young men and women based on appearance by security agents should be stopped for peace and mutual respect to be entrenched in the system .
Adedayo however called on youths to shun internet fraud, substance abuse, cultism, violence and other forms of criminal activity
In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale said his personnel were fully committed to their statutory duty to protect lives and property and ward off criminals from the state, saying they shall discharge the duty diligently.
“Let us be law abiding wherever we are. Let us train some of our students and youths to be really good future leaders. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I am giving you an assurance, any of my personnel who misbehaves would not be spared. Don’t condemn the police, but try and understand us.
“Be bold enough to resolve grievances. If you confront the police, you are no helping yourselves. I came here for a purpose, which is to ensure security of lives and property. If you notice any infraction, try and tell us and justice will be served .
In her remarks, the Director, Department of State Services in Ekiti State, Dr. Bolatito Olufemi, urged the youths to be vigilant and form a united front with security stakeholders to expose criminals among their ranks.
She said while a great percentage of youths and Students are law abiding, it is also a matter of fact that, some youths and students are involved in vices such internet fraud, cultism, robbery and drug peddling.
Also speaking, the State Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Paul Sosina described youths and students as important Stakeholders in securing the State because they form a large chunk of the population of the State
In his remarks, the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Oluwaponmile Sodeinde, warned that no Nigerian should demonstrate any action that could infringe on the rights of others, saying this is the best way to have a rancour free society.
The Attorney General And Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN) said the forum was apt in view of important roles youth play in national security.
The State Commissioner for Information Rt. Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun said the Oyebanji Administration would continue to organize fora like this for youths to ventilate their views, and channel their energies towards profitable ventures .
He urged youths and students to always have means of identification, to avert cases of the brutality and injustice they suffered in the hands of security agencies.
The Commissioner assured youths that current government will continue to provide veritable and life sustaining opportunities for them to thrive and remain competitive under a 21st century economy.
He commended Governor Oyebanji for making youth development and job creation a pillar of his administration.
Olatunbosun urged the youths to be law-abiding and key into government programmes and policies.
In his paper entitled: Interrogating the causes of conflict between Security Agencies, students and Youth in Ekiti state:Â the security implications and governance, the Director General, Homeland Security, Dr Adetunberu recommended a multi pronged approach to address the problem of mutual distrust among youths and students on the one hand and the security agencies on the other hand.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
