As part of activities to mark International Youth Week, Youth O’Clock Nigeria, Gombe State Chapter, staged a high-level townhall meeting in partnership with key stakeholders where about 70 repentant thugs, popularly known as yan kalare, dropped their weapons and embraced peace for the overall development of Gombe State.
Held at the Council Chamber of Gombe Local Government, on Friday the event brought together traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups, security agencies, and civil society organisations to address the deep-seated challenges confronting young people in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Colonel Abdullahi Bello (Rtd), commended Youth O’Clock Nigeria for its community service and the foresight in convening the meeting.
He urged the repentant youths to uphold discipline, honesty, and trustworthiness, “embrace vocational skills, and shun drug abuse to safeguard their lives and protect the dignity of their families,” the commissioner added.
On his part, Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council and ALGON Chairman, Barrister Sani Haruna, reaffirmed his council’s readiness to partner with Youth O’Clock Nigeria in giving youth matters priority attention.
He assured that the local government would provide support by creating opportunities to improve their livelihoods, urging the reformed youths to become responsible.
Haruna added, “Become law-abiding citizens and resist being used by politicians for selfish interest.”call
Emir of Gombe and Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, expressed profound joy over the youths’ decision to renounce crime and embrace peace.
The Emir pledged the unwavering support of his palace to the mission of Youth O’Clock Nigeria in youth development.
Represented by Dr Sani Jauro, Shehu-Abubakar promised to assist the reformed youths through the Northeastern University Community Development Initiative, “providing them with livelihood opportunities to improve their lives and those of their families,” he added.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, represented by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with individuals and organizations to secure lives and property across the state.
Similarly, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jibrin Idris, represented by Gombe Divisional Officer, Muhd Danjuma, lauded Youth O’Clock Nigeria for bringing stakeholders together, advising that such engagements should be held quarterly to enable continuous dialogue between youths and stakeholders for problem-solving.
Earlier, Gombe State Coordinator of Youth O’Clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulaziz Labaran, called on all stakeholders to support the repentant youths, noting that they are now ready to contribute their quota to the state’s development.
Speaking on behalf of all the reformed youths, Kabiru Yerima, and Balkisu Adamu Salisu, expressed deep remorse over their past actions and appealed to stakeholders to empower them so they too can play active roles in sustaining peace across Gombe State.
