The Osun State Police Command has urged young Nigerians to reject political violence, electoral thuggery and harmful digital practices, stressing that their future is more valuable than the temporary benefits offered by political manipulation.
The call was made on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Officers’ Mess, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, to commemorate International Youth Day 2026.
The programme was organised under the Nigeria Police Force National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative, with the approval of the Inspector-General of Police for a nationwide commemoration of the event.
Speaking at the gathering, the Commissioner of Police said the programme was built around the United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
He noted that despite differences in background, location and personal experiences, Nigerian youths share a common desire for a country where they can live with dignity, develop their potential and participate meaningfully in leadership.
As part of the commemoration, the Nigeria Police Force launched the national campaign, “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
The campaign seeks to discourage young people from becoming involved in political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation, hate speech and other forms of online abuse.
The Commissioner identified five key pillars of the initiative: Leadership, Security, Innovation and Enterprise, Responsible Citizenship, and Digital Responsibility.
He described the pillars as practical tools that could help young people avoid both physical violence during elections and the less visible dangers associated with online manipulation and attacks.
Addressing the youths, the Commissioner said their future should never be exchanged for temporary political rewards.
“Your future is greater than any temporary payment for political violence. Your future is greater than any keyboard used to spread lies or destroy reputations,” he said.
He assured the youths that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to protect and work with them, adding that the responsibility of the police goes beyond enforcing laws to helping nurture a generation of responsible leaders.
The Commissioner urged participants to embrace the five pillars of the initiative and demonstrate through their conduct that “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
The Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Com. Waheed Lawal, said young people must become more conscious of attempts to manipulate them for political purposes.
According to Lawal, many of the challenges facing Nigeria have been created or sustained by the ruling class in ways that leave young people vulnerable to manipulation whenever their services are needed for political activities.
He said confronting the problem would require serious and sustained efforts, urging youths to recognise that their lives and future were more important than the political ambitions of any individual.
Lawal also warned youths against allowing politicians to divide them, noting that their conduct during the August 15 governorship election showed that they could play a positive role in the democratic process.
He urged young people to remain united and refuse to be recruited for political violence.
The Osogbo Area Commander, AC Temitope Adewumi, identified education as one of the most important investments available to young people.
Adewumi encouraged youths to pursue knowledge through formal education, vocational training and other legitimate forms of learning.
He said young people should aspire to reach the highest levels of achievement, noting that those who ventured into legitimate businesses were already succeeding beyond many people in salaried employment.
The Area Commander encouraged youths to believe in their potential and strive to become people of integrity and virtue.
He also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the initiatives providing opportunities for young Nigerians to access education.
Adewumi maintained that an enlightened and educated youth population would be less vulnerable to political manipulation and recruitment into thuggery.
Representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bajulaye Victor, on behalf of Rev. Dr. John Adegboyega Adeleke, said the programme provided young Nigerians with an opportunity to reflect on their future and pursue their aspirations responsibly.
Victor warned that political and digital thuggery could have lasting consequences, stressing that while political thuggery could destroy destinies, digital thuggery could damage people’s character and reputation.
He urged young people to embrace leadership anchored on vision, integrity and responsibility rather than violence.
He also pledged CAN’s willingness to partner with the Nigeria Police Force in efforts to protect and empower young people.
Victor advised youths not to allow themselves to become tools in the hands of politicians or trade their future for temporary financial rewards.
The Osun State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Olakolupo Segun, commended the Nigeria Police Force for organising the stakeholders’ engagement.
He described the police as an important institution in building confidence among young people but urged the force to maintain neutrality in its dealings with the public.
Segun identified the lack of organisation among some youths as a major challenge and called on the police to create opportunities for engagement with such young people.
He appealed to the police to bring unorganised youths into dialogue and support efforts to rehabilitate and integrate them into organised youth structures.
The Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Oladapo, commended Osun youths for the role they played during the August 15 governorship election.
The monarch urged young people not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs, stressing the importance of making positive contributions to society.
Oba Oladapo encouraged youths to remain focused, productive and determined to succeed, noting that they have the opportunity to set new records and contribute meaningfully to the future of Osun State.
The stakeholders’ engagement ended with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among the police, youth organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and civil society groups to address youth exploitation, political violence and harmful digital practices.
