Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor has called for the engagement of youths in governance to enhance national security, urging the youths to be honest and patriotic.

“An ideal youth should be honest, patriotic, hard-working, and disciplined with the inculcation of honesty in the youth, the incidents of social vices would be reduced,” reasoned the army chief. “A patriotic youth will desist from corrupt conduct because he/she knows that corruption is inimical to national development.”

According to him, a decrease in the level of youth interaction and alienation in the decision-making processes would lead to the destruction of critical infrastructures, loss of livelihoods, and by extension, retardation in the economy and impinged national security.

Mr Irabor stressed that the youth population in Nigeria had a lot to contribute to the national development, the armed forces and national security.

He spoke at a youth and security summit organised by the Abuja Global Shapers (AGS) in Abuja.

“It is essential that youths know, understand, and imbibe certain core values and qualities that would guide them into being positively engaged towards enhanced national security,” Mr Irabor said on Wednesday.

He noted that the current challenges required society’s effort, and the youth population constituted the largest part of citizens.

“So, if we have men and women of like minds like the Abuja Global Shapers, then, of course, we will be making the right decisions and making the right analysis,” he stated. “These will lead to recommendations that will help government agencies and other stakeholders to take certain steps that will advance the cause of peace, security, and development in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges.

(NAN)