Gov. Ododo: Youth Empowerment, Education And Technology Key To Securing Kogi

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Lokoja | October 8, 2026

Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has declared that sustainable security requires more than guns and ammunition, stressing the importance of education, employment, technology, youth empowerment and social inclusion.

Governor Ododo made this known on Thursday in Lokoja while delivering his keynote address at the Kogi Youth Security Summit 2026, themed “Building a Secure Kogi Together: Empowering Youth as the First Line of Peace and Community Security.”

He emphasised that his administration remains committed to addressing the root causes of insecurity by creating opportunities for young people through free and compulsory education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology, responsible mining and infrastructure development.

“Development is security because development gives people something valuable to protect,” the Governor declared

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Highlighting the role of technology, Ododo commended engineering students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) for their innovations in drone technology, urging youths to embrace digital skills and use technology to strengthen community security.

The Governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity, while urging young people to reject cultism, drug abuse, political thuggery and other criminal activities.

He encouraged citizens to support security agencies with credible intelligence and avoid spreading misinformation, hate speech and unverified reports on social media.

“Reporting danger is not betrayal. It is a responsibility. It is patriotism. It is love for your community,” Ododo stated.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, announced plans to establish Youth Peace Ambassadors across the state’s 21 local government areas, strengthen youth-security collaboration and promote sports as a tool for peace and unity.

Similarly, the keynote speaker, Chief Yusuf Haruna Abiona, MD/CEO of Hay Bravo Security Limited, advocated stronger community-security partnerships, early-warning systems and continuous youth empowerment.

The summit brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, youth leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards a safer and more prosperous Kogi State.

Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s determination to build a state where young people have access to education, meaningful employment, innovation and opportunities for a productive future.