Youth O’clock Nigeria, Gombe State Chapter, in collaboration with the Maisheru and Munsal Foundations, has convened a high-level stakeholder engagement aimed at promoting peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and conflict resolution in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The engagement, which was held at the College of Education Billiri, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, security agencies, and civil society organizations to discuss sustainable strategies for ending local conflicts and empowering young people.
With the theme: “Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Billiri: Strategies for Addressing Drug Abuse and the Farmer-Herder Conflict,” the event featured a panel discussion that highlighted the root causes of communal unrest and substance abuse among youths.
Panelists included Malam Ibrahim Kanku from the Gombe State Ministry of Internal Security, Hajiya Zariyatu Hashidu of the Wildan Foundation, Robecca Kwayama of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Zainab Abdu Jibir of Youth O’clock Nigeria.
They emphasized the need for job creation, vocational training, and social inclusion as effective tools for addressing youth restiveness and building community resilience.
Speaking, the State Coordinator of Youth O’clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, described the engagement as a grassroots-driven solution to the growing threats of drug abuse, violent clashes, and youth marginalization.
He said the initiative was designed not only to raise awareness but also to foster collaboration among critical stakeholders in finding lasting peace in Gombe State and Nigeria in general.
According to him, until the government and communities begin to invest in the potential of young people through education, mentorship, and economic opportunities, insecurity will remain a persistent challenge.
Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, Professor Sani Ahmad Yauta, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and crucial for promoting harmony and sustainable development in the area and beyond.
He stressed the importance of collective efforts in raising awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, while calling for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
Also speaking, representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) delivered sensitization talks on the health and social risks associated with substance abuse, urging community stakeholders to remain vigilant and supportive of rehabilitation efforts.
The Billiri chapter of Miyetti Allah pledged to uphold peace during this year’s rainy season, assuring the community of its commitment to nonviolence and dialogue.
In a message of support, the Gombe State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Colonel Abdullahi Bello (Rtd), through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hassan Abubakar, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to partner with civil society in strengthening local peace structures.
In her remarks, Hajiya Zariyatu Hashidu urged young people to be proactive, self-reliant, and committed to community growth, calling for sustained advocacy on youth empowerment and inclusive development in Billiri, Gombe State, and across the Country.
The event is part of ongoing grassroots efforts by the Youth O'clock Nigeria to foster unity, reduce insecurity, and promote a future where young people are seen not as threats, but as agents of peace and progress.
