Reps member recommends legal framework to promote youth, peace

John Ntekim

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Mr Martins Esin has suggested the enactment of a robust legal framework to address the unique concerns of young Nigerians in the face of the widespread insecurity in the country.

He made the recommendation at a high-level Summit on Youth, Peace and Security jointly organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser and the Mercy Corps in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on the role of policy and good governance in advancing youth, peace and security, the lawmaker argued that “security-related policies shouldn’t only align with the country’s present security landscape but must be crafted to reflect the evolving nature of the challenges faced by the youth.”

Esin who represents Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State further advocated the provision of education and economic opportunities for the teeming youthful population as fundamental tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.

Re-echoing the call for a National Legislative Security Summit which was recently made by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Esin urged leaders of the nation’s security agencies present at the event to prioritise dialogue and conflict prevention measures, explaining that security-related policies ought to seek the diffusion of tensions before they escalate into violence.

“I, therefore, encourage the facilitation of more youth engagement platforms such as this to promote open dialogue between policymakers, youth representatives and community leaders to ensure that diverse voices are heard in the process of shaping peace-related policies,” he added.

Participants at the event included State Governors, Ministers, representatives of MDAS, operatives of the armed forces, UN agencies, USAID, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).