Engage youths productively to reduce crime, violence, NYCN Chairman urges govt

By Ikenna Orioha… 

Government has been urged to quickly and effectively engage youths in productive activities to minimally reduce crime and violence in the society.

The urge was made by the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Imo State Chapter, Barr. Ezinwanne Chimuanya Udoka, when he spoke during a- two day Stakeholders Summit themed “Deepening Stakeholders and Amplifying Voices of Citizens for a Peaceful 2023 Off- Cycle Elections in Imo State”, held at Swiss Hotel, Owerri, last week.

The Summit which involved Youth Wings (NYCN), NYSC, Police, Judiciary, Academia, Political Parties (IPAC), Civil Society Groups, Religious Bodies and People Living with Disabilities, was organized by the Kukah Centre, the National Peace Committee (Imo State) in collaboration with European Union with the motive of enhancing peace, justice and equality in the society so that citizens will always have rights to democratic participation, live freely, as well as contribute to the growth, development and peace of the society.

Udoka said the youth do vices as electoral thuggery, armed robbery, kidnapping among other crimes because they are totally neglected by government in terms of employment, trade, skill empowerment, mentorship and lack of social amenities, saying if youths are given opportunities in public offices, civil service, private firms, political appointments, trade, subsistence or mechanized farming/agriculture and quality education they would not do evil, saying youths who perpetrate crime, violence are mainly those who are idle and without productive skills.

While calling on government: Ministry of Youths and Sports to quickly implement policies that could engage youths into productive activities, Udoka harped that NYCN will continue to support government to make the society peaceful and secured for all persons.

“Youths have a role to play in building peace in the state. One cannot talk of peace or violence without mentioning the youth who are undoubtedly critical stakeholders in peace building, nation building and edification. Youths are totally neglected in Nigeria in terms of everything. This is to say that the system is abysmally corrupt. Hence, youths indulge in crime. Unless there is good governance where youths are employed, empowered, social amenities installed, function fully and daily, the right thing done, poverty, suffering, hardship, vulnerability and insecurity will continue to be the bane of the society”, Udoka said.

The Imo State NYCN Chairman added that for a peaceful and credible guber election to hold in Imo State in November 11, 2023, the youth must be positively engaged and carried along in the scheme of things, commending the Kukah Centre, the Peace Committee and the European Union for holding the Stakeholders Forum which he assessed as memorable, educating and edifying.