The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, has congratulated his Media Aide and security journalist, Mayor Oki O. Samson, on his recognition as a Police-Youth Advocate by the Lagos State Police Command.
Samson, who is also President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), received the honour on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during the Lagos State Police Command’s commemoration of International Youth Day 2026, held at the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Secretariat, Lagos.
The recognition came amid growing concerns over youth vulnerability to political manipulation, digital misinformation, cultism, thuggery and other emerging security threats. The programme provided an important platform for strengthening engagement and trust between law enforcement agencies and young Nigerians.
Reacting to the honour, Ogunsan commended Samson for his consistent commitment to responsible security journalism, youth development, advocacy and constructive engagement between security agencies and members of the public.
He also acknowledged Samson’s invaluable contributions to the activities and objectives of the LSSTF, describing the recognition as a fitting reward for his dedication to using communication as a tool for public safety and social development.
“This recognition is well deserved because Oki has consistently demonstrated that the media can do much more than report security challenges; it can help build understanding, trust and stronger relationships between security institutions and the communities they serve,” Ogunsan said.
The LSSTF boss urged Samson to regard the recognition not merely as a personal achievement but as a greater call to responsibility, particularly in an era where young Nigerians wield significant influence through digital platforms.
“As you receive this honour, I urge you to remain committed to the values that brought you this far. Continue to use your voice to educate, inspire and encourage our young people to choose peace, responsible citizenship and a better future,” Ogunsan added.
The International Youth Day programme also witnessed the launch of the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery and a Police-Youth Dialogue, aimed at fostering stronger partnerships between law enforcement and young Nigerians.
The initiative, in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, placed youth participation, responsible citizenship and peacebuilding at the centre of contemporary security discourse.
Stakeholders from the military, paramilitary agencies, youth organisations, transport unions, the media and community groups participated in the event, reinforcing the need for a collaborative approach to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, cautioned young Nigerians against allowing politicians to manipulate them into electoral violence as the country approaches another election cycle.
Fatai urged youths to look beyond immediate gratification and consider the long-term consequences of their actions.
“Tomorrow is there for us. We should not think of today. We should always think of tomorrow. That tomorrow is more important than what we are today.”
The Commissioner strongly condemned the recruitment of youths into political thuggery, noting that politicians rarely expose their own children to the dangers associated with electoral violence.
“None of these politicians will use any of their children for electioneering, thuggery, violence or what have you,” he said.
He urged young Nigerians to reject the use of youths for ballot-box snatching, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of electoral violence, while stressing that political participation remains a legitimate right when exercised responsibly.
Fatai also identified the digital space as an emerging frontier of security, advising young people to exercise caution before posting, sharing or reacting to provocative content online.
He emphasised that political participation must never degenerate into political violence, whether offline or online.
In his goodwill message, Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, described the campaign as timely and commended the Police for deepening engagement with young Nigerians.
Owolabi noted that the energy, creativity and resilience of Nigerian youths remain indispensable to the nation’s peace, security and development. He stressed that national security can no longer be regarded as the sole responsibility of security agencies, but must be pursued through a whole-of-society approach in which young Nigerians are active partners.
He further cautioned against the misuse of digital platforms and physical spaces for violence, intimidation, misinformation and destructive activities, while advocating stronger trust and communication between young people and security institutions.
The well-attended programme attracted representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, FRSC and NSCDC, as well as NYSC, POCACOV, PCRC, NYCN, NANS, NURTW, RTEAN, CRAN, NAOSNP, POWA and youths from Police Barracks across Lagos.
The event featured an extensive Police-Youth Dialogue focusing on security, political participation, social media, cultism, political thuggery and other emerging threats.
The recognition of Mayor Oki Samson as Police-Youth Advocate therefore goes beyond an individual honour. It underscores the growing importance of credible media voices in connecting young people, security institutions and the wider public around a shared commitment to peace, responsible citizenship and public safety.
- For Ogunsan, Samson’s recognition is both an honour and a renewed responsibility—one that places greater expectations on the media to remain a credible bridge between security agencies and the Nigerian public.