The Boys Brigade Nigeria, Gombe State Council, on Sunday held the investiture ceremony of the State Council, during which the Chairman of Kaltungo Local Government Area, Iliya Suleman, was formally installed as Vice Chairman.
The event began with a church service at ECWA Church, Kalarin, Kaltungo, and culminated in a grand ceremony at the Township Stadium, which attracted a large crowd cutting across religious, official, and cultural divides.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, who led a high-powered government delegation that included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi; and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alh. Abubakar Kari, among others.
In his address, the Deputy Governor conveyed the goodwill of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the people of Gombe State. He described the event as a landmark development and a recognition of Hon. Suleman’s dedicated service.
He noted that the honour bestowed on Suleman, as well as the size and calibre of attendees, were proof of his commitment to service, his ideals, and his dedication to God and humanity.
Jatau urged and all those inaugurated to demonstrate exemplary leadership through humility and sacrifice, stressing that true leadership is measured by influence and the positive impact made on society.
“The Boys Brigade, like other sister organisations such as the Man O’ War and the Boys Scout, is founded on discipline, loyalty, and adherence to its aims and objectives,” he said. “However, recent happenings compel us to remind you to take your families, religion, and cultures seriously, as none of these promote drug abuse or crime.”
He called on the Boys Brigade to intensify efforts in mentoring the youth, instilling discipline, moral values, and commitment to socio-economic development, with the aim of reducing the growing cases of crime among young people, irrespective of religious background.
Jatau further noted that Nigeria’s religious, cultural, and traditional values do not condone the social ills prevalent today, and emphasised the need for youths to uphold these virtues in preparation for future responsibilities and leadership roles.
He appreciated the organisers for honouring Hon. Suleman and thanked all those who attended and contributed to the success of the event.
Speaking earlier, the State President of the Boys Brigade, Chief Barrister Caleb Ubale, explained that although the ceremony was originally scheduled to hold in Gombe, it was moved to Kaltungo to honour Hon. Suleman for his diligence and service to God and humanity.
He said the Boys Brigade exists to train boys in the way of the Lord, instilling discipline, skills, and moral values.
He added that the adult men in the organisation “have become boys in order to teach and train the boys.”
Ubale appealed to philanthropists to support the construction of the Boys Brigade State Secretariat, noting that every other state has one except Gombe.
Also speaking, the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Barrister Sani Haruna, recalled that a year ago, the name “Suleman” did not resonate in Kaltungo until he was brought to limelight by the governor, whom he described as a visionary leader.
Flanked by other local government chairmen, he said all ALGON members stand firmly behind Hon. Suleman because of his exceptional qualities, diligence, and commitment. He urged other chairmen to emulate initiatives that foster unity across religion, tribe, and social status.
He reaffirmed ALGON’s commitment to supporting the proposed secretariat project.
In his remarks, the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Mohammed, congratulated the chairman on his inauguration as Vice President, Zone “C” of the Boys Brigade, urging him to use the position to strengthen unity among the diverse religious and ethnic groups in the local government and the state.
Similarly, the Head of Muslim Clerics in Kaltungo LGA, Malam Adamu Mubarak Umar, described the investiture as a testament to Hon. Suleman’s unwavering dedication to God and humanity, adding that he is a man who does not discriminate on the basis of religion, tribe, or social status.
