‎By Olawumi Oyehan

‎The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Youth Development Secretariat has reiterated its commitment to supporting the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda aimed at promoting youth inclusion, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across the territory.

‎Director of the Youth Development Department, Mr. Musa Mamman Lai, who represented the Ag. Secretary of the FCT Youth and Sports Development Secretariat, Mr. Itsifanus Luka, during an advocacy visit by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said the Secretariat remained committed to youth-focused programmes capable of addressing unemployment, insecurity, social vulnerability and exclusion among young people.

‎The advocacy meeting, held in conference section of the Mandate Secretary’s Office, brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, UNFPA representatives, members of the FCT Youth Peace and Security Coalition, civil society organisations and youth-focused groups to discuss the implementation of the SAFEYOPS/YPS Programme and domestication of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in the FCT.

‎Mr. Lai commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the UNFPA for selecting the FCT as one of the pilot locations for the programme, stressing that youths constitute a significant percentage of Nigeria’s population and require deliberate investment in leadership development, entrepreneurship and governance participation.

‎He particularly commended Hajia Amina Daura of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for her dedication to youth empowerment and national development, while also acknowledging UNFPA’s interventions in youth-focused initiatives across the country.

‎Speaking during the meeting, Hajia Daura explained that the advocacy visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the FCT Administration and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the YPS mandate. She emphasised the importance of achieving the objectives of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 through youth inclusion and sustainable peacebuilding efforts.

‎UNFPA representative, Dr. Hamira Welye, presented the SAFEYOPS/YPS implementation strategy, highlighting plans for stakeholder mapping, community ownership of projects, development of an FCT-specific YPS Action Plan, monitoring frameworks and sustained collaboration with relevant institutions.

‎Civil society groups also showcased ongoing interventions within the FCT. Ayotola Ilori of the FCT YPS Coalition highlighted projects addressing bullying, electoral violence, gender-based violence and youth advocacy, while Mr. Austin Igwechi of CEPAD and Mr. Zaka Nehimaiah of CONYSSA spoke on peacebuilding, youth empowerment and campaigns against kidnapping and criminality.

‎The meeting resolved to strengthen partnerships among government institutions, youth organisations, women groups, disability inclusion groups and security agencies to ensure effective implementation of the programme