The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, mentorship and crime prevention through strategic partnerships following a courtesy visit by the Impact Initiative for Youth Mentorship (IIYM).

The delegation was received on Thursday by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the FCID Annex, AIG Simeon U. Akpanudom, at the command headquarters in Lagos.

Led by its founder, Mr Victor Cletus Mfon, the delegation said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration in youth mentorship, leadership development, crime prevention and community safety.

Mfon said IIYM, which has operated for nine years, is dedicated to identifying, nurturing and developing the talents and leadership potential of young people, with a focus on African leadership, responsible citizenship and national development.

He stressed the need for effective mentorship to keep young people away from crime and other social vices.

“Effective mentorship is essential to guiding young people on the right path, particularly at a time when inadequate guidance, negative influences and limited access to positive role models can expose young people to social vices and criminal behaviour,” Mfon said.

He sought the support and mentorship of the police leadership in advancing the organisation’s objectives.

The delegation included Mr Jonathan Abraham, Coordinator; MMrsBetty Jobaido, Head of Operations from Kenya; MsMstacy Ubah, a mentee; Mr Samuel Igweber; and Mr Adeoye John of the media team.

Mfon also commended Akpanudom’s leadership at the FCID Annex and formally invited him to serve as Special Guest of Honour and Honouree at the 9th Impact Leadership Conference and Awards 2026, scheduled for October 3 at the Oriental Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Reimagining Nigeria: Youth Leadership, Governance and National Greatness,” is expected to bring together policymakers, business leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and young leaders to discuss ethical leadership, governance and national development.

Responding, Akpanudom described the visit as timely and the initiative as commendable, noting that developing future leaders requires commitment and collaboration.

“Effective leadership development must begin with self-awareness, experience, proper mentorship and a clear understanding of the challenges confronting society,” the AIG said.

He added that young people must be equipped with positive values to prevent them from falling prey to criminality.

“The absence of proper mentorship could leave young people vulnerable to negative influences, social vices and criminality,” he said.

Akpanudom also described the conference theme as relevant to Nigeria’s current realities.

“The Nigeria we desire must be viewed from different perspectives, with young people adequately equipped to become responsible leaders, good citizens and active participants in nation-building,” he said.

The AIG pledged support for the conference and IIYM’s broader objectives, assuring the delegation that the FCID Annex would be represented at the event if official engagements prevented his personal attendance.

Speaking during the visit, Mrs Betty Jobaido said IIYM provides free professional counselling services to young people and communities, while also organising mentorship and counselling programmes in schools and remote communities.

She said the organisation was willing to collaborate with the police on youth engagement, crime prevention, public safety awareness and community security.

Jobaido also highlighted the importance of adequate security arrangements for programmes involving diplomats and international guests, noting that collaboration with the police would contribute to the success of such events.

The delegation later presented a commemorative birthday frame to Akpanudom as a goodwill gesture before concluding the visit with a group photograph.

The FCID Annex said it remains committed to partnerships that promote youth empowerment, responsible citizenship, professional mentorship, crime prevention and safer communities