By Jako Keke, August 12, 2026.
The Chief Executive Officer of Dephee Peace and Community Development Initiative, Ambassador Bulus Audu Daniel, has called for greater investment in youth development, urging governments, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning individuals to create more opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in leadership and governance.
Ambassador Daniel made the call while reflecting on the significance of the 2026 International Youth Day celebration, describing the occasion as an opportunity for society to assess the journey, challenges and contributions of youths while charting a more productive path for their future.
He said the annual celebration should go beyond ceremonies and speeches to become a platform for building the capacity of young people and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and values required to assume greater responsibilities in society.
According to him, youths remain critical drivers of the nation's economy and political development and must therefore be supported to realise their potential.
Daniel stressed that sustainable national development could not be achieved without deliberately preparing young people for leadership and providing them with opportunities to participate in decision-making processes.
He called on governments at all levels, civil society organisations, development partners and individuals to strengthen investments in youth education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, leadership development and civic participation.
The Dephee Peace and Community Development Initiative CEO said his organisation had remained committed to preparing youths for leadership through capacity-building programmes, including workshops, seminars and other empowerment initiatives.
He explained that the organisation's programmes are designed to equip young people with the competencies and values needed to become responsible leaders and contributors to their communities.
Daniel maintained that when youths are adequately equipped, they would be better positioned to demonstrate effective leadership qualities and contribute positively to governance and national development.
He said the organisation also places emphasis on peacebuilding, early warning and early response to crises as part of its efforts to build resilient communities and prevent conflicts.
According to him, equipping youths with peacebuilding and conflict-prevention skills would enable them to identify potential threats, respond responsibly to emerging tensions and promote peaceful coexistence within their potentials.
Daniel also advocated greater inclusion of young people in governance and leadership, saying youths should not merely be viewed as beneficiaries of government programmes but as important stakeholders capable of contributing ideas and solutions to national challenges.
He urged political leaders and other stakeholders to create genuine platforms through which young people could participate in policy formulation, community development and democratic processes.
He noted that the 2026 International Youth Day celebration was particularly significant given the increasing political activities and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With political activities already gathering momentum, he urged youths to approach the political season responsibly by rejecting violence, political thuggery, drug abuse and other activities that could jeopardise their future.
Instead, he encouraged them to embrace peaceful political participation, issue-based engagement and leadership opportunities that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the country.
Ambassador Daniel reaffirmed the commitment of Dephee Peace and Community Development Initiative to continuing its youth-focused programmes, particularly in leadership development and peacebuilding.
He said the future of the country would depend largely on how effectively today's generation prepares its young people to assume leadership responsibilities.
He therefore called for a collective approach to youth development, stressing that investing in young people was not merely a social responsibility but a strategic investment in Nigeria's economic stability, democratic development and peaceful future.
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