By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Lokoja | October 8, 2026
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has said lasting security requires investment in education, employment, technology and youth empowerment alongside conventional security operations.
Ododo spoke on Thursday in Lokoja at the Kogi Youth Security Summit 2026, themed “Building a Secure Kogi Together: Empowering Youth as the First Line of Peace and Community Security.”
He said his administration was working to address the underlying causes of insecurity by expanding opportunities for young people and promoting social inclusion.
“Development is security because development gives people something valuable to protect,” the governor said.
Education and employment central to security strategy
Ododo identified free and compulsory education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology, responsible mining and infrastructure development as priorities for creating productive alternatives to crime.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a state where young people can access education, meaningful employment and opportunities to innovate.
The emphasis on education follows the state government’s approval of bursary support for Kogi students. Its development agenda has also included farm support and infrastructure measures considered by the State Executive Council.
Ododo commends CUSTECH students’ drone innovations
The governor praised engineering students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) for their innovations in drone technology.
He encouraged young people to acquire digital skills and explore how technology could strengthen community security.
His message reflects the growing attention to technology education in the state, including the Kogi Youth-in-Tech initiative focused on equipping young people with digital skills.
Ododo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and security agencies for their efforts against insecurity.
Governor urges youths to reject cultism and political violence
Ododo called on young people to reject cultism, drug abuse, political thuggery and other criminal activities.
He urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation was essential to preventing threats and protecting lives.
“Reporting danger is not betrayal. It is a responsibility. It is patriotism. It is love for your community,” he said.
The governor also cautioned against spreading misinformation, hate speech and unverified reports on social media.
Calls for peaceful political participation have featured in other public interventions, including Admiral Usman Jibrin’s appeal for tolerance following reported political violence in Ejule.
Youth Peace Ambassadors planned across 21 councils
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, announced plans to establish Youth Peace Ambassadors across Kogi’s 21 local government areas.
He said the initiative would strengthen cooperation between young people and security institutions. He also outlined plans to promote sports as a means of building peace and unity.
Speaking at the summit, Chief Yusuf Haruna Abiona, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hay Bravo Security Limited, advocated stronger community-security partnerships, early-warning systems and sustained youth empowerment.
The discussions build on wider appeals for cooperation and collective development, including calls for unity at the Truth, Peace and Reconciliation Summit in Idah.
The youth security summit brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, youth leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards a safer Kogi State.
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