By Sharon Akuboh
As part of ongoing efforts to promote safer teaching and learning environments through education, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre, has been formally conferred with the Special Guest of Honour status and invested with the Pan-African Youth Leadership Merit Honour.
The honour was bestowed on her during the Regional Youth Security Summit organised by the West Africa Youth Parliament in recognition of her outstanding contributions to youth development, mentoring, leadership, and educational collaborations across the region.
In a statement, the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Parliament, Olasunkanmi John Kolawole, said the summit serves as a strategic platform for youth parliamentarians and leaders to strengthen regional cooperation on issues relating to security, governance, and youth empowerment.
According to him, the theme of the 2026 summit, “Enhancing Border Security and Intelligence Sharing among Regional Security Frameworks,” underscores the need for stronger collaboration in addressing cross-border challenges such as terrorism, trafficking and smuggling.
He explained that the summit would also deliberate on tackling the root causes of insecurity through youth empowerment, vocational training, entrepreneurship development, and the active engagement of young people as critical stakeholders in peacebuilding, community intelligence and conflict prevention.
Speaking on Dr. Abdulrahim’s investiture with the Pan-African Youth Leadership Merit Honour, Kolawole stated that the recognition was in appreciation of her impactful efforts in mentoring young people and advancing youth empowerment, security and socio-economic development through education.
He noted that, as Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre, Dr. Abdulrahim has played a significant role in shaping educational policies and programmes within the FCT Administration, leaving a remarkable legacy in improving educational standards and academic development in the territory.
Receiving the honour, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives, promoting peace and mentoring the next generation of African leaders.
She dedicated the award to individuals and organisations working tirelessly toward youth development, peacebuilding, education and security across the West African region, emphasizing that education remains the foundation for sustainable development and the creation of a safer and more prosperous society.
According to her, education goes beyond the acquisition of certificates, describing it as a transformative tool that shapes identity, opportunity, and civic responsibility among young people.
“Education is a direct intervention tool in addressing security challenges,” she stated.
Dr. Abdulrahim further highlighted the importance of education in reducing idleness and poverty, which she described as major factors driving youth involvement in crime and insecurity.
She cited the FCT Almajiri Literacy Programme as a practical example of how education can redirect vulnerable youths from the path of insecurity toward productive and meaningful lives, adding that the FCT Administration remains committed to sustaining such interventions.
She also urged members of the Parliament to continue using the platform to promote conflict resolution, civic values, social responsibility, ethics, human rights, the rule of law, teamwork and peaceful coexistence, noting that these values are essential in reducing violence at all levels of society.
Dr. Abdulrahim commended the commitment of youths across the West African region toward advancing development, promoting sustainable peace, prioritising security concerns, and seeking practical solutions to regional challenges, while setting benchmarks for excellence and inspiring future generations.