By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a statewide campaign tagged “My Future is Better than Political and Digital Thuggery” as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day.
The campaign, held in Abeokuta, featured a sensitisation walkathon and a high-level youth engagement session aimed at discouraging political violence, cybercrime, cultism, substance abuse and other forms of youth-related criminality.
The programme was organised in line with the strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, who recently stressed that no political ambition is worth the future or life of any young person.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, said the initiative was designed to encourage young Nigerians to embrace peace, innovation, responsible citizenship and leadership rather than allowing themselves to be manipulated for criminal or political purposes.
The opening walkathon brought together officers and personnel of the Police Command, alongside representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps and Ogun State Fire Service.
Also participating were members of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Youth Wing, Girl Guides Association, Nigeria Youth Parliament, National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria.
Addressing participants, CP Ojajuni urged young people to reject political violence and digital harassment, assuring them of the Command’s commitment to creating a safe environment where they can pursue their aspirations.
The second phase of the programme was held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, in collaboration with the Nigerian Youth Parliament under the theme, “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future.”
Representing the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Adeoye Olugbemiga, welcomed youth delegates and other participants.
He described security as a shared responsibility and urged young people to shun cultism, cybercrime, substance abuse and political thuggery while embracing education, entrepreneurship, technology and legitimate skills.
A legal practitioner and youth advocate, Dr Kayode Akinsola, delivered the keynote address, stressing that genuine youth empowerment should include capacity building, digital literacy, mentorship and participation in decision-making.
Akinsola encouraged young people to move from passive consumption of digital content to productive creation and from political thuggery to purposeful leadership.
The programme also featured an interactive panel session involving DCP Adeoye Olugbemiga; Lt. Col. P. L. Ebaji, representing the 35 Artillery Brigade; UN Award winner, Amb. Habeeb Whyte; and Convener of the Skillup Summit, Mrs Queen Joy Adeola Oluyege.
The panelists emphasised the importance of responsible civic participation, personal discipline, productive engagement and mentorship in helping young people overcome social and economic challenges.
The event ended with a question-and-answer session during which participants raised issues concerning civic participation, relations between young people and law enforcement agencies, and personal development.
The Ogun State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community policing through school outreach, mentorship programmes and digital literacy campaigns.
The Command also urged parents, educators and community leaders to guide young people towards responsible citizenship and constructive nation-building.
