By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – A civil society organisation, the Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), has appealed directly to Nigerian youths to see public infrastructure as their own lifeline, warning that vandalism threatens the country’s security, economy and shared future.

The message came on Friday in Abuja from the President of ILDC, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, during an interaction with journalists in which he reflected on the state of national infrastructure and the role of citizens, especially young people, in keeping it safe.

Nnam said the stakes were high, insisting that bridges, rail lines, electricity installations and other public assets are not abstract government property but systems that sustain everyday life and economic activity.

“Protecting critical government infrastructure is imperative for national security, economic stability, and public welfare,” he said.

He praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as visible efforts to secure major national assets under the Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing specifically to the approval of CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting on the Second Niger Bridge to improve safety and visibility for users.

The ILDC president also highlighted similar upgrades on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, describing them as deliberate steps to protect lives and deter crime on one of the country’s most important transport routes.

“The key objectives of the CCTV is to enhance security, deter illegal activities like sand mining, and prevent suicide attempts on the Third Mainland Bridge,” Nnam said.

Shifting to a more critical tone, he condemned the destruction of public facilities by some youths, describing such acts as morally wrong and economically harmful, particularly at a time when government resources are stretched.

“It is not just unpatriotic but an act of stealing and economic sabotage to see some youths vandalise rails, electricity, etc., for selfish reasons,” he said.

Nnam warned that every act of vandalism comes with a hidden cost, forcing government to redirect funds meant for development into avoidable repairs and replacements.

“Our youths must help the government to stop spending money unnecessarily on repair or replacement of infrastructure,” he said.

He urged young Nigerians to move from indifference to ownership, arguing that protecting public infrastructure is not merely about obeying the law, but about safeguarding the foundations of national growth, safety and collective prosperity.