By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The 2026 International Youth Day activities, organised by the Plateau State Police Command under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” concluded over the weekend with an interactive session with youths at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos.
Presenting his paper at the end of the three-day programme, the Area Commander, Metro, ACP Victor Elias, commended the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, for bringing together young people and stakeholders from different backgrounds to reflect on the aspirations, challenges and responsibilities of youths in building a peaceful and prosperous society.
He said youths may come from different ethnic, religious, cultural, social and economic backgrounds and have different experiences and circumstances, but they share common aspirations for peace, security, dignity, opportunities, justice and a better future.
According to him, youths constitute a significant and dynamic segment of society and should not be regarded merely as leaders of tomorrow, but as partners and leaders of today.
“Their energy, creativity, courage and technological skills are indispensable to the development and security of our communities and our nation. As a Police Command, we recognise that effective policing cannot be achieved without the active participation of young people,” he said.
ACP Elias noted that the police and youths share a common interest in creating communities where people can live, work, learn and worship without fear.
He acknowledged the challenges confronting young people, including unemployment, peer pressure, substance abuse, cybercrime, cultism, violent extremism, political manipulation, misinformation and other forms of social pressure, which he said could expose youths to criminality and violence.
“These challenges require a collective response. The police cannot address them alone. Parents, schools, religious institutions, traditional rulers, government, civil society organisations, community leaders and, most importantly, young people themselves all have important roles to play,” he said.
He urged youths to understand that the choices they make today will shape the society they inherit tomorrow, warning against the temptation to pursue quick wealth through criminal activities, internet fraud, drug trafficking, cultism and other unlawful activities.
ACP Elias therefore encouraged young people to embrace hard work, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, discipline and lawful means of pursuing success, urging them to use their talents as instruments of development rather than destruction.
He said the Plateau State Police Command recognises the importance of police-youth partnerships and remains committed to strengthening engagements with youth groups, student organisations, community-based organisations and other stakeholders.
“Through dialogue and collaboration, we can better understand one another, address grievances before they escalate and build mutual trust,” he said.
ACP Elias further encouraged young people to see the police not only as an institution that responds to crime, but also as a partner in community development and public safety.
He also charged police personnel to continue to uphold professionalism, respect for human rights, accountability and fairness in the discharge of their responsibilities.
According to him, peace and security are collective responsibilities.
“Where there is peace, businesses thrive, schools function, families prosper and young people can pursue their dreams. Where there is violence, everybody loses,” he said.
ACP Elias noted that Plateau State has a rich history of cultural diversity and resilience, stressing that diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.
“Our different languages, cultures, faiths and backgrounds should remind us of the beauty of our shared humanity,” he said.
He said the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” calls on everyone to look beyond their differences and focus on what unites them.
“Whether we are Christians or Muslims, from different ethnic groups, from urban or rural communities, or from different economic backgrounds, we all desire a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State,” he said.
Addressing the youths, ACP Elias urged them to use their voices to promote peace rather than hatred, social media to educate rather than misinform, their talents to create opportunities rather than destroy them, and their strength to protect their communities rather than participate in violence.
He also appealed to parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide positive mentorship and opportunities for young people, stressing that a young person who is guided, supported and given hope is less likely to become vulnerable to criminal influences.
“As we celebrate this day, let us renew our commitment to building a Plateau State where every young person can dream without fear, pursue legitimate opportunities, express themselves responsibly and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
He assured the public that the Plateau State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, preventing crime and creating an enabling environment for all law-abiding citizens, especially youths, to fulfil their potential.
“Let us therefore work together—different in background, but united in purpose; different in experience, but united in hope; different in context, but united in our aspiration for peace, security, justice and prosperity,” he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, appreciated all stakeholders for honouring the Command’s invitation and participating actively throughout the three-day programme.
He emphasised the important role of youths in nation-building and urged them to embrace education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and community service as pathways to personal development and societal progress.
CP Faniyan further charged youths to shun drug abuse, cybercrime, cultism, political thuggery and electoral violence, stressing that their energy and creativity should be channelled towards activities that promote peace, security and development.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with youth organisations, government agencies, civil society groups and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for youths to become productive and self-reliant citizens.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Youth Council, Mr Panan Gongden, also commended the Plateau State Police Command for the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial to youths across the state.
He called on youths in the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State to key into the initiative and shun all forms of cultism, digital thuggery and political violence.
Gongden pledged the continued support and collaboration of the Youth Council with the Police Command towards sustaining peace, security and development across the state.
The three-day programme commenced with a walkathon and the launch of campaigns against political and digital thuggery at the Secretariat Roundabout in Jos.
This was followed by a youth sensitisation programme and a free medical outreach organised by the Command’s Medical Services on the second day, during which members of the public received free medical consultations, drugs and health education.
Our correspondent reports that the programme concluded with a Police-Youth Dialogue and closing ceremony, providing a platform for constructive engagement between the police and young people on issues relating to peace, security, responsible citizenship and community development.
A Peace Ambassador Award was also presented to the Youth Leader of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.