The Lagos State Government has stressed the need to involve a greater percentage of youths in addressing some security challenges to ensure a safer and secure environment as well as peaceful co-existence.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin made the call on Friday during her maiden meeting with the leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Lagos State Command held at the Cabinet Office, Alausa, Ikeja.
The SSG told the PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemim,o and the Supervising Heads of the 14 Area Commands that statistics have proven that Nigeria has a huge youth population and to enjoy the demographic dividends, the youth must be positively engaged as the future of the nation.
She said, “The youths are known for their strength and energetic presence anywhere they are, and bringing them on board will further make the work of the PCRC and other stakeholders easier.”
She added that the youths are also technologically savvy and can bring their knowledge to bear in the area of infrastructural security that will further change the narratives of security in Lagos State and Nigeria. The youths can also be engaged in carrying out the PCRC mandate of interfacing between the Police and the citizens.
Salu-Hundeyin also used the opportunity to assure residents and investors of adequate security through collaboration with PCRC and other security agencies to enable a more secure Lagos. She expressed optimism that the collaboration will further strengthen the security architecture of the state and foster the safety of Lagosians.
In his remarks, Lagos State Chairman of PCRC, Kehinde Showemimo explained that the delegation is in the Cabinet Office to see how the PRCP can support/consolidate the state government’s efforts in security.
The Chairman commended the Lagos State Government’s huge intervention through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund in funding security agencies. He pledged to act on the recommendations of the State Government in engaging the youths among others for Safer Lagos.
He also said the SSG, who has given her consent to be a member of the PCRC, would be decorated as the Matron of PCRC Lagos Police Command during the next quarterly meeting.
