Hope, courage, and determination filled the air as over 1,500 youths from across the Niger Delta gathered for the Youth in Coastal Defence Summit 2025, organized by Gallery Security Services Limited under the visionary leadership of Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube.
In a region long plagued by piracy, illegal bunkering, drug abuse, kidnapping, and youth recruitment into criminal networks, these young men and women came together not just to listen, but to declare a new era of responsibility and action.
“Security is not someone else’s job; it starts with us,” they thundered in unison, a promise echoing across the hall and beyond.
The summit was more than a meeting; it was a movement of awakening. Faces that once reflected fear and uncertainty now shone with determination. Hands that once trembled at the thought of danger now shook in solidarity, pledging to protect their waterways and communities.
Powerful photographs from the summit captured the emotional journey: from anger to awareness, from fear to courage, and from hopelessness to a shared sense of purpose. Participants engaged deeply with facilitators, security stakeholders, and community role models, absorbing lessons and exchanging ideas that could shape the future of the Niger Delta.
For many youths, the summit was a defining moment; a chance to rise above adversity and take ownership of their destiny.
“The Niger Delta is ready to protect what belongs to it,” they vowed, their voices carrying the promise of change.
As the summit concluded, it became clear: this was not just an event. It was a clarion call of hope, a testament to the resilience, courage, and unwavering spirit of the Niger Delta youth; ready to defend their land, their waterways, and their future.
