Stakeholders across the security apparatus of the country and sectors of the economy supporting youth development have proffered strategies for curbing the menace of youth crimes related to the consequences of unemployment in Nigeria.

These representatives from various government departments including security personnel and paramilitary bodies made the calls for strategic youth development policies during a youth sensitization program tagged: “National Stakeholders, Civil Society and Youth Summit Against Unemployment, Cyber-Crime, Vandalism, Piracy, Oil Theft and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria” which held in Lagos.

The event was organized by Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI) in collaboration with the National Council For Civil Society Organisation (NACCSO).

Speaking on the significance of the program, the executive director of VOLDI, Emmanuel Johnny noted that there is a need to solve the issues of unemployment which is a major harbinger of various crimes, among youths, which are bedeviling the economy of Nigeria.

“Unemployment remains the major factor leading youths to crime, nowadays our youths find pleasure in cybercrime, vandalism, piracy, oil theft, kidnapping among others under the influence of drug abuse”, he noted.

“This is why we have put up this program to gather stakeholders to draw support towards the realization of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope agenda, because when it comes to nation-building every effort counts. And to also draw out what role the youths should play towards the realization of this development agenda”, Johnny noted.

“This is why we have also partnered with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to see how the youths can be empowered in terms of skills, and entrepreneurship development in other to prepare them for the future”, Johnny revealed.

“Youth empowerment would continue to serve as a weapon against criminality, criminal elements, and crimes in society”, he said.

Johnny called on the government to strengthen its partnership with the civil society organizations in the country, especially through the National Orientation Agency to make all stakeholders proactive in their response to the socioeconomic threats created by unemployment.

In a keynote address delivered by Udo Samuel Atange on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olusade Adesola, the permanent secretary noted that the impact of criminal activities of some unscrupulous youths can easily be mitigated if not removed to make room for productivity required for the progress of Nigeria.

“It is worthy to note that cyber-crime, vandalism, piracy, oil theft, and human rights violation are a threat to the national security and development of Nigeria and there is a need for strong collaborations among all the stakeholders, especially the security agencies”, he noted.

He urged all youths and stakeholders to support the policy direction of the new government that’s aiming at putting Nigeria in the right place in the comity of developing nations.

During his presentation, the President of the Senate of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, urged the civil society organization of Nigeria to continue to take actions that will help achieve the various strategies being put in place by all stakeholders.

“For us to be able to maintain law and order in the society and also make progress with all these strategies the CSOs must work to actively engage to create the needed awareness on all these threats, the impacts, and the consequences on the lives of the people”, he noted.

“CSOs also need to work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to support and complement their efforts in crime control through the provision of resources, I also encourage them to develop and implement prevention and intervention programs targeted at the youthful population”, he stated.

Also while facilitating a presentation on the threats and dangers of piracy to the Nigerian economy, Commodore Nanmar Lakan, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. I Ogalla highlighted the key dangers of piracy to Nigeria’s economy.

He noted that the promulgation of the legal framework for regional maritime security cooperation; improved funding for maritime domain awareness architecture sustenance of Nigerian Navy and other maritime security agencies recapitalization program and the provision of adequate funding of maritime security will go a long way to help mitigate the threats of piracy in Nigeria.

Other relevant government agencies and civil society and youth organizations well-represented at the summit include the Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Force, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian Security and Civil Service Corps (NSCDC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Youth Council of Nigeria, Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria and Lagos State Community Youth Volunteers and youth leaders in across Lagos state.