Pledges stronger collaboration with group

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, has commended the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, for its sacrifices and contributions to community safety, pledging stronger collaboration between the ministry and the grassroots security organisation.

Olawande spoke when the Commander-General and National Chairman of VGN, Otunba James Udoma, led senior officers of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja at the weekend.

The minister described VGN as an important grassroots security organisation contributing to the protection of lives, community safety and national development.

He commended its personnel for the sacrifices they make daily across communities, describing their commitment as a demonstration of patriotism and service to humanity.

“The work you do is not ordinary. When men and women voluntarily put themselves at risk to save lives, protect communities and support the peace of the nation, that sacrifice must be recognised.

“You are operating at the grassroots, where many security challenges first emerge, and that presence is extremely important,” he said.

A statement by VGN National Public Relations Officer, ACG Igho Akeregha, quoted the minister as stressing that Nigeria’s large youth population represented both a national asset and a strategic responsibility.

He said youth development could not be separated from peace, security, employment and community development.

“We cannot talk about youth development without talking about security, and we cannot talk about national security without talking about our young people.

“We must give our youths opportunities to become productive citizens rather than allowing them to become vulnerable to crime, violence and social instability,” Olawande said.

The minister assured the VGN delegation that the ministry would explore areas of collaboration with the organisation, including youth empowerment, skills acquisition, community development, peacebuilding, volunteerism and civic responsibility.

He said there was considerable room for a stronger partnership between both institutions.

“We are prepared to engage, identify practical areas of collaboration and develop programmes that will translate this relationship into measurable benefits for Nigerian youths and our communities,” he said.

Olawande also acknowledged the importance of community-based intelligence and early intervention, stressing that any collaboration must operate within the law and complement the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of recognised security agencies.

VGN pledges support

Responding, Udoma expressed appreciation to the minister for recognising the sacrifices and contributions of VGN personnel nationwide.

He said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional understanding and opening a new chapter of cooperation between the organisation and the Ministry of Youth Development.

“We are here not merely to pay a courtesy call, but to build a bridge between youth development and grassroots security.

“Our men and women are in the communities, villages, towns and neighbourhoods where Nigerians live. They see the challenges confronting our people, and they are often among the first responders when lives and property are at risk,” he said.

Udoma reaffirmed VGN’s commitment to supporting government and statutory security institutions without seeking to usurp their responsibilities.

“VGN is not in competition with the Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, the DSS, the NSCDC or any other statutory security institution.

“We are a complementary grassroots security organisation. Our responsibility is to support the national security architecture, provide useful community-based information and help protect our communities within the limits of the law,” he said.

The Commander-General also called for greater investment in Nigerian youths, describing them as the foundation of the country’s future security and prosperity.

“If we want a safer Nigeria tomorrow, we must invest in our youths today. A young person who has skills, purpose, dignity and opportunity is an asset to the nation.

“VGN is prepared to work with the ministry to mobilise our grassroots structures in support of youth empowerment, skills development, civic responsibility and peaceful community development,” he said.

Udoma added that security was a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among government, security agencies and community organisations.

“Government cannot do it alone, security agencies cannot do it alone, and community organisations cannot do it alone. We must build a partnership where every responsible institution contributes its strength to the protection and development of Nigeria,” he said.

Udoma, who was appointed Commander-General about three weeks ago by the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council, the highest organs of VGN, said the visit was part of his wider consultations with key government stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would lead to concrete programmes capable of improving the lives of young Nigerians while strengthening community security resilience.

“We appreciate the Honourable Minister for opening his doors to the VGN. We will not take this confidence for granted. We are ready to translate this goodwill into action, measurable programmes and a stronger partnership in the national interest,” he said.

Both parties expressed commitment to identifying practical areas of cooperation, particularly in youth empowerment, skills acquisition, employment-oriented initiatives, peacebuilding, civic education, volunteerism, community development and security awareness.