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CHRCR urges FG, States to engage youths in counter terrorism efforts

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Participants at the Town Hall Meeting

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Conscience For Human Rights And Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), a Civil Society Organization, has called on the Federal and State Governments to evolve strategies to positively engage young persons in counter terrorism efforts.

The organization made the call in a Communique issued at the end of a One-day Town Hall Meeting At Community Level on “Inspiring Youths For Leadership” for Kogi East Senatorial District at Wisdom Home Hotel, Aiyigba, Dekina Local Government Area.

The meeting was organized by CHRCR in partnership with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund with the support of MacArthur Foundation in furtherance of the Senatorial engagement on Youth in leadership campaign at State level in Kogi State.

The Communique signed by Mr Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director CHRCR, said it has been noticed that youths constitute a major contributing to the insecurity through their indulgence in violent extremism leading to terrorism.

It said that there was therefore, need to positively engage them in the counter terrorism efforts of government at both national and sub national levels.

The Communique attributed the “JAPA” syndrome to lack of confidence in the system of leadership and governance in Nigeria by young persons and called on government at all levels to critically address the issue.

“There must be a conscious effort at youth empowerment by government and other stakeholders to restore confidence in government and encourage youths towards leadership positions.

“The concept of mentorship for young persons in leadership must be taken seriously by both State and Non State Actors.

“The Government through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ministry of Information, Kogi State Youth Development Commission, etc, must build knowledge and improve awareness of young persons on leadership and its various processes”, it said.

Participants at the Town Hall Meeting also frowned at the issue of vote buying and selling, saying that citizens must desist from the act as it disenfranchises them of their right to select credible leaders.

“Vote buying reduces you to a commodity that can be cheaply bought and affects development and good governance apart being a criminal offence”, the Communique hinted.

As part of measures to prove youth participation in leadership and governance the CSO and participants called for proper mentorship of the youths by leaders and called for Constitutional amendment to remove the age barriers.

“The constitutional requirement on the age of contest must be amended to remove the Constitutional challenge to young persons’ involvement in in elections leading to good governance”, it said.

The One-day Town Hall Meeting featured among others, presentations and sessions including “Inspiring Youths for Leadership” by Executive Director CHRCR, Mr Idris Miliki Abdul.

It also featured, “Challenges of Youths in Attaining Leadership Positions and the Way Forward” by Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Mr Hamza Aliyu.

The Town Hall Meeting had leaders from Youth groups, Women groups from the East Senatorial District, Students from Prince Abubakar Audu University (formerly Kogi State University), Anyigba, and Media practitioners in attendance. (Ends)

Security

Nigeria Fortifies Cyber Defenses with Landmark Workshop to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure

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Wale Edun, Mohammed Badaru and Nuhu Ribadu.

In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s defenses against cyber threats, the Federal Government has hosted a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop, bringing together key policymakers, security agencies, and sector regulators at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

The workshop, a landmark event aimed at fortifying cybersecurity across critical sectors, saw the participation of high-profile leaders including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Director of Information and Public Relations Muhammed Manga in a statement said the workshop underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure amidst a global rise in cyber threats.
The statement quoted Edun to have highlighted the urgency of safeguarding digital assets, noting a surge in cyber threats impacting government and private sectors.
“To truly understand the extent of the commitment made to cybersecurity, one only needs to look at this gathering of our nation’s foremost leaders,” Edun stated, adding that Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts are critical for both national security and economic resilience.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu outlined the workshop’s key objectives, emphasizing a coordinated strategy to protect Nigeria’s digital landscape from cyber-attacks.
Ribadu explained that the event was integral to fulfilling an executive mandate under the amended Cybercrimes Act, which authorizes the designation of essential computer systems and networks as critical infrastructure.
This designation mandates their protection, ensuring the security of key systems that support both the nation’s security and its economic infrastructure.

The workshop attracted significant stakeholders in national security and governance, including EFCC Executive Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi, and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director General Abdulateef Shittu, reflecting the priority given to cybersecurity at the highest levels of government.

The event will culminate in a strategic action plan aimed at fortifying cybersecurity resilience across Nigeria’s essential infrastructure sectors.
This comprehensive roadmap will guide efforts to implement effective cybersecurity measures to ensure the resilience

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Obi Condemns Rise in Violence, Insecurity Across Nigeria

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Peter Obi

Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi has expressed grave concern over the escalating incidents of killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes plaguing Nigeria.
In a recent statement, via his X-handle, he highlighted the continuous suffering inflicted by non-state actors, who have left countless families in grief and despair.

Obi specifically condemned the tragic ambush of Supersports TV crew members along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, which resulted in fatalities and the kidnapping of others. “These media practitioners were on their way to fulfill their official duties when this horrific incident occurred,” he stated, mourning the loss of life.

He also referenced a recent attack in Agatu local government area of Benue State, where several individuals were reportedly killed and others injured, further illustrating the rampant violence affecting communities across the nation.

“The violent attacks, many of which go unreported, have come to define our daily existence in what was once a secure nation,” Obi lamented. “We are gradually losing count of those who have fallen victim to this insecurity.”

Obi urged Nigerians to unite in demanding improved security for all citizens, questioning how much longer the nation would tolerate such tragedies.
He extended his condolences to the families affected by these recent attacks and called for a collective effort to ensure the safety of lives and property across Nigeria.

“We are all in this together as a nation,” Obi concluded, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the growing threat of violence.

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Dangote Cement donates security facility to Kogi Assembly

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By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Kogi State House of Assembly has taken delivery of a Security House donated by the Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, to boost security of lives and property in and around the Assembly complex.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf commended Dangote Cement for the Security House worth millions of Naira.

The Speaker who stressed the importance of security to government and institutions as well as lives and property, said the gesture would go down well in history, saying the company had written its name in gold in the annals of Kogi State.

Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf described the fire incidence that previously razed down the Assembly Complex as unfortunate adding that with the intervention of the state government, the incident has been put behind.

He stated that the security House would go a long way in enhancing the security in and around the Assembly Complex, adding that the gesture would not be taken for granted.

Responding, the Dangote Cement Plant Director, Engr Hazard Nawabudeen described the gesture as one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives towards forging a healthy relationship with host communities.

Nawabudeen who was represented by the General Manager Human Assets, Mr Adeniyi Azeez, also stressed the importance of security, pointing out that interacting with an organisation with a porous security was not safe.

The Plant Director assured that the construction and donation of the facility to the Assembly would not be the end but rather the beginning of more and better relationship for more cooperation and support for and with the state assembly.

He added that the gesture would surely engender a robust mutual relationship between the company and Kogi Assembly.

In his remark, Alhaji Ahmed Chogudo, Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Service conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of staff and management of the Assembly to Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana.

He however urged the company to look into providing furniture and office facilities for the Security House saying that the request was imperative to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed to the complex. (Ends)

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