Susan Abayomi
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, following his recognition as a Police-Youth Advocate by the Lagos State Police Command.
Samson, who also serves as President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), was honoured on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Secretariat in Lagos during activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day.
The recognition came as the Police Command intensified efforts to engage young Nigerians on issues ranging from political manipulation and digital misinformation to cultism and other security-related challenges confronting the younger generation.
Ogunsan, in his reaction, described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of Samson’s consistent efforts to use journalism and public communication to promote security awareness, youth development and stronger relationships between security agencies and citizens.
He also acknowledged the journalist’s contributions to the activities of the LSSTF, commending his commitment and support for the Fund’s security-focused initiatives.
According to Ogunsan, Samson’s recognition demonstrates the positive impact that responsible journalism can have beyond conventional news reporting.
“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 chief urged Samson to view the recognition as an additional responsibility to continue promoting positive values among young Nigerians, particularly given the growing influence of social media and other 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,” he added.
The Lagos State Police Command used the International Youth Day programme to unveil the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery, alongside a Police-Youth Dialogue aimed at improving communication and cooperation between young people and law enforcement agencies.
The programme was organised in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with discussions centred on youth participation, responsible citizenship, peacebuilding and the role of young Nigerians in addressing contemporary security challenges.
The event also provided a platform for stakeholders from the military, paramilitary organisations, youth groups, transport unions, the media and communities to discuss ways of preventing young people from being drawn into activities capable of undermining public safety.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, cautioned youths against allowing politicians to manipulate them into participating in electoral violence as Nigeria moves towards another election cycle.
The Commissioner urged young Nigerians to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions rather than being driven by short-term benefits.
“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,” Fatai said.
He particularly warned against the use of youths as instruments of political thuggery, noting that politicians who encourage such activities would not ordinarily expose their own children to the associated dangers.
“None of these politicians will use any of their children for electioneering, thuggery, violence or what have you,” he stated.
Fatai consequently appealed to young Nigerians to reject involvement in ballot-box snatching, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts of electoral violence.
While encouraging legitimate political participation, he stressed that young people should exercise their civic rights peacefully and responsibly.
The Commissioner further drew attention to the growing security implications of activities on digital platforms, urging youths to exercise restraint and responsibility when creating, sharing or responding to provocative online content.
He emphasised that political engagement should not be allowed to translate into violence, whether through physical actions or activities carried out in the digital space.
Also speaking, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, described the campaign as a timely intervention and commended the Police Command for creating greater opportunities for dialogue with young Nigerians.
Owolabi highlighted the importance of the youth population to Nigeria’s future, noting that their energy, creativity and resilience could make significant contributions to national development when properly channelled.
He said securing the country should not be regarded as the sole responsibility of conventional security agencies, stressing the need for a whole-of-society approach that gives young people an active role in promoting peace and security.
The Army commander equally cautioned against the use of physical and digital spaces to promote violence, intimidation and misinformation, while advocating stronger communication and trust between young Nigerians and security institutions.
The programme attracted a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, FRSC and NSCDC, as well as members of NYSC, POCACOV, PCRC, NYCN, NANS, NURTW, RTEAN, CRAN, NAOSNP and POWA.
Youths from various Police Barracks across Lagos also participated in the event, which featured discussions on political participation, social media, cultism, thuggery, public safety and other emerging security concerns.
Against this backdrop, Samson’s emergence as a Police-Youth Advocate goes beyond the celebration of an individual achievement. It reflects the growing recognition of the media’s role in encouraging constructive dialogue between security institutions and the younger generation.
The honour also places greater responsibility on credible media practitioners to use their platforms to promote peace, responsible citizenship and public understanding, while helping to strengthen the relationship between security agencies and the communities they serve.
For Ogunsan, the recognition is therefore both a commendation of Samson’s past contributions and a charge to continue using his voice and professional influence to advance youth engagement, security awareness and peaceful coexistence.
