Ondo youth leaders across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State expressed concern on Wednesday over the rising cases of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
In a meeting with Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Orioye Gbayisemore lamented the rising trend of criminal activities in the state.
The youth leaders, in a communiqué after the meeting, signed by Orioye Gbayisemore, said that the people of the state have been living in fear and can no longer travel out of their areas.
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According to him, the negative impact of Fulani herders on youths in agriculture had led to a gross lack of agricultural productivity, which had caused food insecurity, challenging our national security.
“The youths identified roles that must be played by traditional institutions and why they must provide support within their respective communities to curb the crimes.
“Also discussed at the meeting was “the illicit actions of scavengers, which were also top of the discussion, which includes providing information to criminal elements.
“The security breach in Ose LGA within the Ifon environs, leading to the loss of two young, promising Nigerians and the kidnapping of a youth corps member, was alarming and sad.
“The factors aiding the criminal elements were identified to be within the purview of the youth population, and only the youths can address the problems confronting our state head-on.
“Indigenous youth leaders across the 18 LGA hereby resolve to combat the crimes of drug abuse, prostitution, cultism, rape, terrorism and all forms of social vices and threats to the development of Ondo State.”
They resolved at the meeting registration of all immigrants to Ondo State that any traditional leaders caught providing tacit support to invaders be rejected by the youths of their respective communities, and extreme punitive measures should be taken by government intervention with such traditional rulers.
The youths equally demanded in the communique, “the empowerment of traditional institutions to be able to work hand in hand with the youths of their community to safeguard their domains; no bike rider should be allowed to wear an unrevealing mask but use transparent helmets to avoid concealing their identity, which is a new trend for many offenders.
Other demands include that “Any brothel or shortlet involved in child/underaged prostitution or child trafficking be shut down and made to face the full wrath of the law, sellers of illicit drugs must be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law, the youths must reject the arrest made by EFCC; and demands that before any further arrest, EFCC must come up with its comprehensive crime prevention and rehabilitation agenda.
“There must now be a proper channel of communication and no more Gestapo approach. It will be rejected and resisted.
“The youths reject the usage of unauthorised number plates and unregistered vehicles indiscriminately.
“Youths rejects the exploitation by PMS owners across the entire 18 LGA, demanding more punitive measures on those arbitrarily increasing the cost of fuel.”
The communique added that “The youths unequivocally reject the growing menace of drugs, giving the drug cartels and lords two options: Either Desist from the business or leave Ondo State, and that all agencies and government entities show their scorecards on support for youth empowerment and job creation.
On the way forward, the youths called for “The constitution of a Youth Taskforce, the constitution of Youth Security Intelligence gathering committee, the constitution of Chairman of Chairmen among the indigenous Youth leaders across the 18 LGA, synergy between the government and the youths to end social vices, full support for Amotekun Corps to comb our forest and continue with their exploits of securing our borders, and the redeployment of security personnel who have spent more than five to 10 years and above in the state.
“Physical Engagement with youths become more regular, as has the adoption of the creation of Graduate Unemployed Youths Coordinator for the three senatorial districts charged with collating all data of Unemployed Youths.
The youths commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for appointing Orioye Gbayisemore as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation.
“This is indeed a round peg in a round hole and an appointment confirming Mr Governor’s quest to develop and grow Ondo State with youths as focal point,” the youth said.
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