Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to peace in the Niger Delta during a consultative engagement in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of community-driven strategies and collaboration among stakeholders to address crime and violence in the region, while also voicing support for President Tinubu’s initiatives. The engagement aimed to develop actionable strategies focused on peace and prosperity for the Niger Delta.
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering enduring peace and security in the Niger Delta during the One-Day Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Engagement held in Abuja. He was represented by Mr. Obinna Nwaka, Director General of the Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization, and addressed a diverse audience that included government officials, security agencies, and civil society organizations.
The event was organized by Search for Common Ground, Stakeholder Democracy Network, and the Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta, with assistance from the European Union. Comrade Olawande expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that facilitated stakeholder dialogue, which he deemed essential for establishing sustainable peace.
Emphasizing the need for community-driven strategies to address ongoing security issues in the region, the Minister highlighted the findings from the project “Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta.” He urged participants to work together to develop solutions that resonate with local realities and align 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,” stated the Minister. He also advocated for the inclusion of youth and women’s groups, recognizing their critical role in enacting change within their communities.
Comrade Olawande reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the outcomes of the consultations and urged stakeholders to persist in their collaborative efforts towards transforming the Niger Delta into a region characterized by peace and prosperity. He also voiced support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives focused on security, job creation, and education in the area.
In conclusion, he assured participants that the Ministry would support programs like the National Integrated Youth Agency, the Youth Pi-CNG Initiative, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund. He called for all stakeholders to unite with a shared purpose to produce actionable solutions benefitting the Niger Delta and its people.
In summary, Minister Ayodele Olawande’s remarks underscore the Nigerian government’s dedication to establishing peace in the Niger Delta through collaborative stakeholder efforts. By emphasizing community involvement and the roles of youth and women, he advocates for effective solutions to combat violence and criminality in the region. The government’s initiatives aim to foster security, job creation, and education, supporting the broader vision for a prosperous Niger Delta.
Original Source: von.gov.ng