Former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai (rtd), said committing youths to radical structural transformation is key to taming insurgency and other vices.
Buratai stated this yesterday while delivering the Federal University Lokoja’s, FUL, 18th Distinguished Public Lecture in Lokoja.
The public lecture had as theme: “Youth, Governance and Countering Violent Extremism: Rethinking Nigeria’s Security Strategy.”
Buratai said insurgency, kidnapping and militancy amongst youths could be reduced, if not eradicated, if government can engage them in meaningful ventures away from idleness and ignorance.
The former COAS warned that young people should not be viewed as having a passive role in policies, but as decision-makers who should be allowed into governance.
“Nigeria is at a critical juncture. Its youth, who are highly energetic, creative and comparatively heavy in the demography, could become its biggest liability or strength.
“Violent extremism not only flourishes in the absence of policing, but also in the absence of good governance, marginalisation and hopelessness.
“The articulation made in this lecture contends that it takes not guns and boots to counter such a threat, but a change in paradigm in the way governance gets done in the area of security.
“This is not the philosophy of idealism. It is the peasant pragmatism. Youth-centred approaches have been proven to be successful and imperative to build post-conflict stability and resilience in countries such as Tunisia, Kenya, Colombia and Rwanda.”
According to him, Nigeria needs to learn, adjust and take the lead.
The former army chief warned: “If we do not reach out to our young people, we leave them to be recruited by criminal gangs or extremist organisations or foreign powers.”
He noted that once the youths are empowered, “they will not only be defenders of Nigeria and safeguards of her peace – they will be the ones to set its future.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, FUL, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, said the theme of Buratai’s lecture was timely and could not have come at a better time.
Akinwumi noted that the topic spoke directly to one of the greatest threats confronting the country today, especially the growing wave of violent extremism among the youth population.
According to him, this menace continues to undermine our national unity, tear apart communities and obstruct our developmental aspirations.
“As a university committed to producing graduates who are not only academically sound, but also socially responsible, we are eager to engage with this critical discourse.
“Our country is in dire need of strategies that are innovative, inclusive and sustainable, and we are confident that your insights today will provide a fresh perspective that will inform policy, inspire action and provoke meaningful conversations,” he stated. NAN
