Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, has restated the government’s commitment to achieving peace in the Niger Delta during a consultative engagement in Abuja. The event involved numerous stakeholders, focusing on community-driven approaches to security challenges. The Minister emphasized the importance of youth and women in facilitating change and reaffirmed support for President Tinubu’s initiatives aimed at regional development.
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering lasting peace and security in the Niger Delta region during a one-day consultative engagement in Abuja. His statement was made on behalf of the Minister by Mr. Obinna Nwaka, the Director General of the Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS). This event gathered crucial stakeholders, including government representatives, security agencies, civil society groups, and youth and women’s organizations.
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, the gathering aimed to discuss strategies for promoting peace. Minister Olawande expressed appreciation to the organizers for fostering dialogue among stakeholders and identified this engagement as an essential step toward achieving sustainable peace in the region.
The Minister emphasized the necessity of community-driven initiatives in addressing ongoing security challenges and criminal behavior in the Niger Delta. He articulated that the forum’s intent was to highlight findings from the “Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta” project while exploring effective peace promotion strategies.
Minister Olawande encouraged collaboration among participants to devise solutions that are regionally focused and in alignment with global peacebuilding efforts. He stated, “This engagement provides an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas, and locally relevant strategies to combat violence and criminality in the Niger Delta.”
Highlighting the pivotal roles of youth and women, the Minister called for their involvement given that they are greatly impacted by the conflict, but also essential for enacting change within their communities. He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to support the resolutions and strategies resulting from the discussions.
Comrade Olawande expressed steadfast support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives, especially those aimed at improving security, creating job opportunities, and enhancing education in the Niger Delta. He confirmed that the Ministry of Youth Development would complement these efforts with several initiatives, including the National Integrated Youth Agency (NIYA), the Youth Pi-CNG Initiative, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
In his conclusion, the Minister urged stakeholders to work together toward shared objectives, ensuring that the engagement’s outcomes translate into tangible solutions for the Niger Delta. This consultative meeting reflects ongoing dedication to establishing a peaceful and secure future for the Niger Delta’s inhabitants, focusing on empowering youth to lead the region’s transformation.
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to peace in the Niger Delta, highlighting the importance of community-driven solutions and youth participation. With strong support for existing government initiatives and strategic collaborations, he aims to address security challenges and empower local populations. This consultative engagement underscores the ongoing efforts to foster peace and prosperity in the region.
Original Source: von.gov.ng
