By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
In an effort to fight crime and criminality, the Gombe State Police Command in collaboration with Thrive Trek Entrepreneurship Centre has trained 20 repented Kalare Youths in electric wiring, solar and CCTV installation skills to make them self-reliant and productive.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the State’s Commissioner of Police CP Hayatu Usman said “Using force, arrest and detention can not guarantee peace and security in our societies when our youths are idle”.
He said the command in conjunction with the NGO decided to think out of the box, on how best to make Gombe Kalare free and peaceful, hence the rehabilitation initiative.
The commissioner noted that following the youths’ voluntary surrender from Kalare activities, the state police command synergize with the Thrive Trek Centre and engage them into meaningful ventures that will stop them from reversing into the old trend.
The police boss added that the youths who went through a two-week extensive training, can now operate, fix and maintain solar installations, a venture he described as thriving and profiting.
While decrying of people’s attitudes towards the repentanted youths, the commissioner advised members of the public not to discriminate, harass or stigmatize them, but intimate and show them love, care and concern to make them feel carried along.
He commended Thrive Trek Entrepreneurship Centre for its pro-youths initiatives, assuring it of the command’s full support to ensuring a less crime society.
On his part, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya who served as special guest of honor, described the move as a welcome development, that complement his administration’s efforts towards security, youths empowerment and human capital development.
While assuring of his support to the skills acquisition initiative, the governor represented by his special advisor on security, Retired AIG Zubairu Mu’azu, said the nearing completion Citizenship and Leadership Training School in Boltongo, will engage hundreds of the repentanted kalare youths for rehabilitation and self reliance.
He commended the police and the center for the efforts, while calling on the beneficiaries to put the knowledge and skills into practice for self and and societal benefits.
In his contributions, an elder statesman Alhaji Yaya Hammari, the Wazirin Yariman Gombe who represented the traditional institution, charged traditional and political leaders to ensure sustainability and diversification of the initiative down to local government and ward levels.
In his goodwill message, the State Chairman Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Comrade Garba Ubale, said “Skills acquisition is one of the surest ways to fighting insecurity. Like any other youth, Nigerian youths are blessed with incredible knowledge and skills that if properly harnessed, insecurity and youth restivness will become things of the past.
While assuring of the PCRC’s support to the initiative, Comrade Ubale said “We work in synergy with various technocrat groups in the state, and we will ensure more of these youths are engaged into this program”.
He commended the police commissioner for his attitudinal change initiatives towards rehabilitating the youths to becoming good members of the society.
In his address, the chairman Thrive Trek Entrepreneurship Centre Aliyu Babangida (National), said the centre is committed to fighting crimes and criminality through skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
Through the training, Babangida National promised to reform Gombe youths, boost the states economy and make Gombe State more peaceful and prosperous.
He appreciated CP Hayatu Usman for his immense contributions to the success of the training.
The youth who benefitted from the training displayed what they have learned; a solar powered lighting bot with CCTV camera installation and more.
