Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to achieving lasting peace and security in the Niger Delta (South-south) region.
His remarks were delivered during the One-Day Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Engagement on the Niger Delta, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The Minister, represented by the Director General of the Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Mr. Obinna Nwaka, addressed the gathering, which included key stakeholders such as government officials, security agencies, civil society groups, and representatives from youth and women’s organizations.
The event was organized by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), and the Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta (PIND), with support from the European Union.
In his address, Comrade Olawande expressed his appreciation to the organizing bodies for bringing together diverse stakeholders and emphasized that the dialogue was a crucial step toward achieving sustainable peace in the region.
He underscored the importance of community-driven approaches to tackling the persistent security issues and criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
The objective of the event was to present findings from the “Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta” project and to explore strategies for promoting peace.
The Minister highlighted the progress made in addressing these challenges and called on participants to collaborate on solutions that are not only relevant to the region but also aligned with global peacebuilding practices.
“This engagement provides an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas, and locally relevant strategies to combat violence and criminality in the Niger Delta
“It is crucial to involve youth and women’s groups, as they are both the most affected by the conflict and central to driving change in their communities.”
The Minister also reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s commitment to supporting the resolutions that would emerge from the discussions.
He urged stakeholders to continue their collective efforts to ensure the successful implementation of strategies that would transform the region into a model of peace and prosperity.
Additionally, Comrade Olawande expressed strong support for the initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in areas such as security, job creation, and education in the Niger Delta.
He assured participants that the Ministry of Youth Development would complement the President’s efforts through initiatives like the National Integrated Youth Agency (NIYA), the Youth Pi-CNG Initiative, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
In his closing remarks, Olawande called on all stakeholders to collaborate with a shared purpose, ensuring that the outcomes of the engagement lead to meaningful, actionable solutions for the benefit of the Niger Delta.
This consultative meeting is part of ongoing efforts aimed at building a peaceful and secure future for the people of the Niger Delta, with a focus on empowering youth to play a central role in the region’s transformation.
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