By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan
The Nigerian Army’s 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Gombe has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Youth O’Clock Advancement Movement Nigeria to bolster security and strengthen military-civil relations across the state.
This was made known by the Commander of the regiment, Colonel A.M. Mohammed, while receiving a delegation from the movement during an advocacy visit to the regiment’s headquarters in Gombe.
Colonel Mohammed emphasised that security is a shared responsibility, calling on all stakeholders and citizens to actively support security agencies, especially through the provision of timely intelligence to prevent and respond to threats.
The commander, who described the youth as the backbone of national development, expressed concern over the rise in political thuggery and drug abuse.
He blamed part of the problem on parents’ failure to fulfill their responsibilities in properly guiding their children, urging them, communities, and relevant authorities to work together to address these security challenges threatening societal stability.
Colonel Mohammed also issued a passionate appeal to religious leaders across all faiths to refrain from using the pulpit to spread hate speech, Instead, he encouraged them to use their platforms to promote peace, unity, and religious tolerance, which are key to national development.
He further called on the government and other stakeholders to consider providing sponsorship to monitor and guide how religious sermons are delivered, stressing that regulating hate speech in religious spaces will greatly contribute to peacebuilding efforts.
Earlier, the Gombe State Coordinator of Youth O’Clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, explained that the visit was to present the objectives of the movement and brief the Nigerian Army on the recently held First Gombe Peace Dialogue, organized by the association.
Labaran, who also doubles as the National Coordinator of the 36 State Coordinators of Youth O’Clock Nigeria, stressed that the movement remains committed to collaborating with the 301 Artillery Regiment and other key actors to promote peace, youth empowerment, and improved civil-military relations.
He reaffirmed that Youth O’Clock Nigeria is focused on driving positive change through strategic interventions in peace and security, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as youth development programs.
The delegation includes the Assistant Coordinator, Gombe South, Abraham Jacob, Treasurer, Bello Adamu, Member, Think Tank Committee, Maryam Adamu, Member, Marta Audu, and Member, Media and Publicity Committee, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan.
