From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The BREACH Initiative for Leadership Development has urged the Gombe State Government to prioritise youths serving in voluntary uniformed organisations in future recruitment into the police and other security agencies.
The call was made during a parade competition organised in Gombe to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day.
Speaking at the event, former Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Gombe State, Ado Solomon, said members of voluntary uniformed organisations had acquired valuable experience in discipline, teamwork, community service and basic security activities.
He urged the government to harness their potential by creating opportunities for them to join formal security institutions.
Solomon appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, through the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Usman Chuso, to consider the volunteers in recruitment for the proposed State Police.
He said prioritising the youths would not only strengthen grassroots security but also encourage more young people to embrace volunteerism and community service.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Chief of Staff, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, said security remained a major priority of the state government.
Kari said the government supported the establishment of State Police, noting that existing security agencies were overstretched.
He assured that any recruitment involving the state would be conducted transparently and based on merit, stressing that security matters would not be politicised.
Chairman of the occasion, Ibrahim Yusuf, commended the BREACH Initiative and its partners for organising the competition, saying the programme provided an opportunity to showcase the discipline, commitment and potential of young people.
Yusuf also urged the government to consider members of voluntary uniformed organisations in future security recruitment, given their experience in discipline, teamwork and community service.
In his goodwill message, Capt. M.M. Nabinu said military drill was founded on discipline, adding that parade was more than a display of physical coordination.
He said drill promoted discipline, teamwork, alertness, endurance and respect for lawful command, adding that the competition demonstrated what young people could achieve through preparation and cooperation.
The event was organised by the BREACH Initiative in partnership with Youths O’Clock Gombe, Advocacy Centre for Development and the state ministries of Internal Security and Home Affairs and Women Affairs.
Twenty-seven uniformed voluntary organisations participated in the competition.
The Boys Brigade emerged winner with 87.67 points, followed by Royal Ambassadors with 87 points, while JIBWIS Jos came third with 85.33 points.