By Paul Joseph
The Federal Government introduced the Safe Nigeria Initiative, a comprehensive program focused on youth empowerment and humanitarian skills development, designed to combat insecurity by addressing its underlying socio-economic factors.
Starnews NG reports that the initiative, also referred to as Youth Empowerment for Peace and Resilience, was launched on Tuesday at the National Counter Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) in Abuja.
The initiative is being managed by the NCTC in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
During the launch, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of NCTC, stated that the initiative aims to enhance security operations by focusing on prevention, inclusion, and opportunity.
Laka mentioned that the program is set to empower at least 11,000 vulnerable youths across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military action alone. Issues like violent extremism, banditry, kidnapping, and organized crime are symptoms of deeper problems such as poverty, unemployment, trauma, and social exclusion.
“The Safe Nigeria Initiative aims to connect humanitarian efforts with national security goals by providing at-risk youths with vocational training, livelihood support, psychosocial services, and civic education,” he explained.
Laka emphasized that economically productive and socially integrated youths are significantly less likely to engage in crime or violent extremism, highlighting that community resilience is crucial for national security.
Mrs. Delu Yakubu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, also spoke at the event, noting that the program aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Yakubu characterized the initiative as a significant shift towards people-centered, non-violent security strategies that emphasize skills development, economic empowerment, and social cohesion.
She stated that the program will offer vocational training, entrepreneurial support, peace-building education, and psychosocial care for youths, especially those in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas.
Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, remarked that Nigeria’s youthful population is one of its greatest assets.
However, he stressed that this potential can only be realized through intentional and ongoing investment in skills development.
He pointed out that acquiring skills is essential for tackling unemployment, insecurity, and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Bagudu noted that a more skilled population not only serves as an economic advantage but also acts as a strategic resource for inclusion, resilience, and long-term national stability, in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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