The Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) has urged the federal government to establish a coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to counter insecurity.
This, Arome Salifu, Executive Director of AYGF, said involves information sharing and joint operations both at local and national levels.
Salifu spoke Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the state of the nation (Insecurity and The Economy), at the foundation’s 2024 annual staff retreat.
He called on the government to formulate comprehensive policies that synergize efforts to boost economic growth while simultaneously addressing security concerns.
The policies, he said “might include increasing targeted investments in key sectors, such as agriculture and infrastructure, to stimulate economic development and create employment opportunities, thereby contributing to enhanced security.”
On investment in youth empowerment and skill development, Salifu said: “The government should focus on equipping the youth with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“This approach not only addresses economic challenges by fostering a skilled workforce but also mitigates the risk of youth involvement in criminal activities due to unemployment.”
AYGF also urged the government to take decisive action on the crises surrounding the exchange rates of the naira and the dollar, “as they significantly worsen Nigeria’s economic conditions through inflation.”
“In tandem with this, we call upon Nigerians to support locally-made goods and services, contributing to the mitigation of these adverse effects on the economy,” Salifu said.
