Hajiya Asabe Sule Garba speaking at the event
In response to the rising tide of insecurity, youth restiveness, and moral decline across communities in Nigeria, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Niger State Directorate, convened a Stakeholders Forum on September 3, 2025. The gathering, held at the NLC Conference Hall in Minna, Niger, brought together a broad cross-section of society for a town hall meeting themed “Promoting Awareness, Ethical Value, and National Development.” The forum attracted more than 180 participants, including government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, women, people living with disabilities, and a large number of youth. Together, these stakeholders engaged in frank discussions on how to strengthen security consciousness and foster value reorientation among young people.
Speaking on behalf of Rev. John Joseph Hayab, country director of GPF Nigeria, Abdullahi Shuaibu, a GPF volunteer in Niger State, stressed the urgency of the gathering. He explained that many young Nigerians are drifting away from the values and norms that once held society together. “Promoting awareness and upholding ethical values is essential for creating a society that thrives through helping citizens understand rights and responsibilities,” he said. Shuaibu added that values such as honesty, fairness, tolerance, and respect were critical to building trust, reducing insecurity, and strengthening social cohesion.
GPF Nigeria’s volunteer poses with Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna after the town hall meeting
The crucial role of families in shaping society was also a recurring subject. Most Rev. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, lamented the growing trend of parents transferring their responsibilities to household help and teachers. “Parents must rise to their responsibilities and commit to inculcating right values and attitudes in their children,” he said. “The consequences of failed or poor parenting do not only affect the family but the larger society, as we are already experiencing with high levels of crime and insecurity.”
The forum stood out for its all-encompassing nature. Ibrahim Ndako, chairman of the Joint National Association of People with Disability in Niger State, expressed gratitude for the recognition of his community. “People with disability are seriously affected by the waning of values in society, because the society today hardly empathizes with them,” he said. He pledged the commitment of his community to tackling insecurity and called for a return to moral foundations.
Youth voices also added urgency to the conversation. Samson Kefas, a National Youth Service Corps member, described the program as “a long overdue initiative that will redefine the attitudes of young people and bring them back to the right pedestal.” Reflecting on the harmony and respect of earlier generations, he warned of the dangers of the get rich quick mindset among today’s youth and expressed hope that more such forums would be held.
Group photograph of dignitaries with members of the National Youth Service Corp after the event
Hajiya Asabe Sule Garba, head of the Federal Information and Resource Centre in Niger State, reinforced the need for consistent mentorship and guidance. “The future of the country is in jeopardy if young people are left to continue with the trend of unruly behavior in the name of modernization,” she said. She urged that programs of this kind dominate public discourse if the nation is to secure a better future.
The forum concluded with an action plan to strengthen security consciousness and promote value reorientation across Niger State, with youth leading community-driven peacebuilding initiatives. Participants recognized that addressing insecurity and moral decline demands collaboration among families, faith leaders, civil society, security agencies, and government. The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria reiterated its commitment to its core work, including community-driven peacebuilding, youth leadership development, transforming education, and supporting women and families in peacebuilding to ensure that communities do not just hear about values but live them. Working alongside NOA and other partners, GPF Nigeria will sustain these efforts under its guiding vision of One Family under God.
Learn more: Nigeria | Global Peace Foundation
