By Isaac Mission 

Youths in Enugu State have taken a strong stand against terrorism, cultism and other forms of criminality, staging a solidarity march through major parts of the state capital and declaring their support for ongoing efforts to improve security.

The march, which took place over the weekend, brought together students, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other young residents who later converged at the Enugu State Government House, where they were received by Governor Peter Mbah.

The youths pledged to expand the campaign across the state and encourage their peers to reject criminal associations, violent extremism and other activities capable of threatening peace and development.

Speaking to the group, Governor Mbah said security had been identified as one of the major challenges that needed urgent attention as his administration developed its plans for transforming the state.

He commended the youths for taking ownership of the campaign, saying their decision to publicly speak against crime demonstrated that young people were prepared to play an active role in shaping the future of Enugu.

According to the governor, the administration's “Tomorrow Is Here” vision goes beyond a political slogan, stressing that it represents a commitment to creating opportunities that would enable young people to become active contributors to the state's development.

Mbah said increased youth participation in the fight against criminality could help reduce crime and ultimately free government resources for employment generation, poverty reduction and other development programmes.

He maintained that Enugu's zero-tolerance approach to criminal activities would create a safer environment for residents while making the state more attractive to investors.

The governor also encouraged the youths to take the anti-crime message to communities across Enugu, insisting that criminality must cease to be viewed as an acceptable or fashionable lifestyle among young people.

He said the government would continue to complement security operations with non-kinetic measures, including employment opportunities, improved education and digital skills development.

Earlier, the Deputy Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Dr Emeka Ejim, who was among the leaders of the procession, described the initiative as a broad youth coalition involving students and corps members.

Ejim said the group was united by the objective of promoting peace and discouraging young people from becoming involved in crime, cultism and terrorism.

He pledged the coalition's support for the state's security initiatives and noted that the combination of security operations with skills development and job creation could help address some of the factors that drive criminality.

“We pledge never to join bad groups within and outside Nigeria. We are joining you against terrorism,” he said.

The Enugu State leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Okeke Kelvin, also pledged to mobilise millions of young Nigerians in support of the campaign against terrorism and violence.

Kelvin said the youth mobilisation would demonstrate their collective rejection of terror and violent activities.

He further praised the state government's investments in security infrastructure, including the Command and Control Centre, Centre for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation, and the Distress Response Squad.

According to him, the facilities and security measures were contributing to the state's ability to respond effectively to criminal threats.

Two NYSC members, Olaranju Oreose and Emmanuela Momoh, also spoke positively about their experiences in Enugu.

Oreose, who is from the South-West, said he initially had concerns about being posted to the South-East but had developed a different impression after spending several months in the state.

He described his experience in Enugu as peaceful and said the environment had made him feel at home.

The corps member stressed that the youths present at the event were united across ethnic and religious lines in their rejection of terrorism.

The solidarity march underscores growing calls for young people to become active participants in maintaining peace and security, rather than allowing criminal elements to exploit or recruit them.