For Nigerian Youths to feel safe and secured, the federal government has introduced Nigerian “Youth Helpdesk”, a platform that serves as a centralized hub to efficiently manage and resolve complaints from youths regarding the conduct of Police officers and other law enforcement agents in the country.
At the launch of the initiative labelled “Young and Secure” Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande explained that the move will create a database for strategic decision making and policy direction to foster an enabling environment for youths to feel safe and secured.
The initiative which is a joint effort between the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Ministry of Youth Development, the Minister noted is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Young Nigerians.
According to Olawande: ” The initiative comprises three key components: enhancing civic commitment through a pact that addresses the security needs of young people, fostering youth-focused engagement to promote dialogue and cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and implementing a technology-powered platform for transparency, accountability, and swift resolution of security-related issues.”
He said the ministry is committed to ensuring the accessibility of the help desk nationwide, collaborating with stakeholders in all 36 states and the FCT to ensure smooth escalation and resolution of police-related concerns from Nigerian Youths.
Encouraging the public to utilize the resource responsibly, the Minister implored Nigerian Youths to support the Ministries, disclosing that plans are in motion to bolster trust and collaboration between the police and Nigerian Youths which undoubtedly, would help to build a safer and more secure future for all.
Also speaking, Minister of States, Ministry of Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim who reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of every Nigerian, expressed optimism that the initiative will enhance the collaboration between the youth and the police towards strengthening National Security.
According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, It will also elevates the role of the Nigerian youth in the security architecture of the nation, noting that the platform empowers the very vibrant segment of the society to be watch-guards, and active participants in ensuring the safety and security of their communities.
She added that the essence of the initiative is rooted in the belief that we are all police, each with a responsibility to contribute to the protection and well-being of our nation.
Imaan noted that Nigerian youth embody an indomitable spirit despite the myriad challenges they face, their spirit remains unbroken, and their determination unwavering.
Earlier, the representative of the Inspector General of Police, DIG Dasuki Galadachi stated that reforms in the police are ongoing and the youth help desk is an addition to what the present leadership of police under the Inspector General of Police reactivated to enable citizens to report any challenges with the police.
“We have a Post Provost Marshall, Escort, IGP Monitoring Unit, Human Rights Desk, Police Complaint Response Unit, and with the advent of police community policing and social media such as X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and youth desk, Nigerians can interface through the social media to seek for redress of their genuine complaints”, he stated.
Omolara Esan
D (Press & PR)
