By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The BREACH Initiative for Leadership Development has called on the Gombe State Government to give priority to youths who have served in voluntary uniformed organisations in future recruitment into the police and other security agencies.
The organisation made the call during a parade competition held in Gombe to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day.
Speaking at the event, a former Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Gombe State, Ado Solomon, said members of voluntary uniformed organisations had gained valuable experience in discipline, teamwork, community service and basic security activities.
He urged the government to harness the experience of these youths by creating opportunities for them to transition into formal security institutions.
Solomon also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, through the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Usman Chuso, to consider qualified members of voluntary organisations in the recruitment process for the proposed State Police.
He said such a policy would strengthen grassroots security while encouraging more young people to participate in 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 already overstretched.
He assured that any recruitment involving the state would be transparent and merit-based, stressing that security matters would not be politicised.
The Chairman of the occasion, Ibrahim Yusuf, commended the BREACH Initiative and its partners for organising the competition, saying it provided an avenue to showcase the discipline, commitment and potential of young people.
Yusuf similarly 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, stressing that a parade was more than a display of physical coordination.
He said drill promoted teamwork, alertness, endurance and respect for lawful command, adding that the competition demonstrated what young people could achieve when properly trained and prepared.
The event was organised by the BREACH Initiative in partnership with Youths O’Clock Gombe, the Advocacy Centre for Development, and the state ministries of Internal Security and Home Affairs and Women Affairs.
Twenty-seven voluntary uniformed organisations participated in the competition.
The Boys Brigade emerged as the winner with 87.67 points, followed by the Royal Ambassadors with 87 points, while JIBWIS Jos came third with 85.33 points.