The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Chief Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, has warned Nigerian youths against being used as tools for political violence, saying their future is too valuable to be traded for anyone’s ambition. Speaking at the International Youth Day 2026 – National Youth Leadership & Security Initiative in Abuja, Mrs. Disu urged young people to shun thuggery, cultism, cybercrime and hate, and to participate in democracy peacefully and responsibly.
“Your future is too valuable to be rented out,” she said. “Do not allow anyone to use your youth as a weapon and leave you to face the consequences alone.” Mrs. Disu, who spoke from the perspective of a mother and a leader in the police family, also raised concerns about misinformation and the misuse of social media. “Think before you click; verify before you share,” she advised, stressing that false claims and manipulated videos can inflame communities and damage reputations. She encouraged youths to invest their energy in education, entrepreneurship, technology and creative solutions, noting that political differences should not turn into personal enemies.
The three-day initiative, organised by the Nigeria Police Force from August 20 to 22, 2026, focused on youth leadership, responsible citizenship, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital responsibility and peaceful democratic engagement. Mrs. Disu said Nigeria needs a generation that understands both leadership and responsibility. She challenged participants to choose “purpose over pressure, service over selfishness, truth over misinformation and leadership over thuggery,” adding: “Whenever anyone asks you to choose between violence and your future, remember: your future is greater than political thuggery.”
