Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo reaffirms his administration’s resolve to rid Kogi State of criminal elements as the Federal Government inaugurate a community-driven peace framework to strengthen local participation in security and social cohesion.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has restated his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and eradicating criminality across the state, assuring that ongoing efforts will continue to focus on eliminating threats to community safety and reinforcing local security systems.
The governor made this known on Wednesday during the official inauguration of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative (PCEPI) in Kogi State. The event marked a significant step in the Federal Government’s renewed approach to promoting peace through community-driven participation and inclusion.
The initiative, organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs. Zainab Kazeem, seeks to establish sustainable peace structures at the grassroots level. According to Kazeem, the PCEPI is designed to deepen citizen engagement in peacebuilding, foster inclusion, and complement the efforts of security agencies in addressing conflicts and insecurity.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike-Ayoade, Governor Ododo charged residents of Kogi to take ownership of the peace process by refusing to support or supply criminals hiding in the forests. He cautioned that aiding criminal elements undermines government efforts to secure communities.
“When we stop supplying them with the things they need in the bushes, the criminals will abandon their evil trade,” Ododo declared, urging the people to stand firm against all forms of collaboration with criminal gangs.
He further appealed to the youth to shun crime and embrace hard work as the only path to meaningful and lasting success. The governor emphasized that his administration remains committed to creating opportunities that will empower young people and steer them away from activities that threaten the peace of the state.
The inauguration ceremony brought together more than 200 key stakeholders from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, including traditional rulers, youth leaders, women’s associations, and representatives of security agencies. The diverse gathering was aimed at strengthening cooperation and fostering dialogue to ensure peace and social stability across communities.
Commending the efforts of Mrs. Kazeem for her dedication to advancing peace and social cohesion in the North Central region, Ododo noted that initiatives like the PCEPI are vital in bridging the gap between government and the people.
In her remarks, Kazeem highlighted that the project, “Promoting Community Peace and Strengthening Social Cohesion in North Central Nigeria”, is a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive peacebuilding and aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
She explained that the initiative, implemented in partnership with the International Communities Organisation (ICO), will serve as a platform for dialogue, information sharing, and conflict resolution at the community level. According to her, these structures will also function as communication channels for federal interventions, ensuring that communities remain informed, engaged, and active in decision-making processes that affect their welfare.
Kazeem disclosed that the new peace structures were developed following extensive consultations with community stakeholders, including a capacity-building workshop in Abuja where participants analyzed insecurity trends and proposed long-term strategies for sustainable peace.
She further revealed that her office had conducted Citizens’ Assemblies and town hall meetings in Lokoja, Idah, and other parts of the North Central region to gather local perspectives that have since influenced federal decisions on infrastructure, human capital development, and security policies.
In addition, Kazeem announced ongoing collaboration with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to ensure that peacebuilding efforts translate into tangible improvements in livelihoods, infrastructure, and community resilience.
“Building social cohesion is not a one-off event; it is a continuous journey that calls for unity, openness, and solidarity. When no one is left behind, development becomes sustainable and peace becomes lasting,” she stated.
Traditional rulers, including the Ejeh of Dekina and Chairman of Dekina Traditional Council, Dr. Usman Oba’i, commended both the state and federal governments for the initiative. He pledged the unflinching support of traditional institutions in sustaining peace, resolving disputes, and fostering unity among the people of Kogi State.
The launch of the PCEPI in Kogi marks another milestone in the Federal Government’s broader strategy to empower communities as key drivers of peace and stability, ensuring that the pursuit of security and development begins from the grassroots and resonates across the entire nation.
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