Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commiserated with his Kogi State counterpart, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over the demise of his mother, Hajiya Hauwa’u Oziohu Bello who died yesterday at the age of 101.
In a condolence message, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the late Hajiya Hauwa’u as an upright mother and family pillar, who lived a fulfilled life characterised by devotion to Allah and service to humanity.
He regretted that although Hajiya Hauwa’u died at a time her elderly and motherly counsel and wisdom were needed by her children and grand children as well as the present crop of leaders, “We must take solace in the fact that she left behind a lasting legacy through her children and exemplary life which we would continue to cherish”.
The Gombe Governor urged Governor Bello and other members of his family to keep alive the legacies of service and good character their late mother left behind.
He extended the condolences of the government and people of Gombe State over the sad event and prayed Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljannat Firdaus.
The Secretary to the Gombe State Government Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has challenged Student Union Bodies in the state not to always rely on the government for everything but to occasionally trigger their intellectual capabilities for the government to leverage on.
Prof. Njodi stated this while addressing Council of Students Union Government of Tertiary Institutions in the State who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He said Student Union Bodies are pressure groups, problem solvers and advocates of good governance and not Government parastatal who always seek for favours.
Prof. Njodi said the present administration of Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya is doing everything possible to begin the payment of bursery allowances to all eligible students of the State.
The SSG encourage students not to engage in act capable of destroying their future but to be good Ambassadors of their immediate family, the Society and the nation in general.
Earlier the President Student Union Government of Tertiary Institutions in Gombe State Comrade Ahmed Anas Abdulkadir said they were in the SSG’s office to congratulate him on his appointment as the chief scribe of the State.
He said the Union was formed to protect and defend the rights of students of higher institutions in the State through collective bargaining.
While commending the present administration of Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya for declaring a State of Emergency in the Basic Educational sub section, the Council of SUG President appeal to the state Government to consider the payment of bursery allowances to students of Gombe State and assist the Students body with a bus.
…Calls for prayers against Coronavirus, other global challenges
…As ECWA ends 3-day men fellowship conference in Deba
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has reiterated his commitment to providing conducive atmosphere and freedom of religious practice among adherents of different religions for the sustenance of peace and understanding in the state.
The Governor gave the assurance during the 22nd Annual Conference of the ECWA Men Fellowship International, Gombe District Church Council, DCC at Deba in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the State.
Represented by the Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Mr. Julius Ishaya Lepes, Governor Yahaya called for intensive prayers for the nation and Gombe State in particular.
He said it is only through prayers that the world can overcome some of the present day challenges such as insecurity and the novel Coronavirus pandemic that has devastated the Global health sector.
He further requested the Christian faithful to intensify prayers for continuous peaceful co-existence amongst the people of the state.
While enlisting the support and cooperation of the clergy and the followers in his quest to build a cohesive and prosperous Gombe state, Governor Yahaya reiterated his government’s commitment to providing dividends of democracy to all sections regardless of political or religious considerations.
Delivering his sermon at the conference, the Guest Speaker, Reverend Habu Audu who is also the Gombe DCC Assistant Secretary, admonished Christians gathering not to use their might or power to suppress the weak but to always seek for the guidance of the holy spirit for them to succeed in life.
The Gombe DCC chairman, Reverend James Dangombe and the ECWA Men Fellowship Chairman, Elder Fatika Musa urged the participants to apply what they have learnt from the conference to improve the spiritual growth of their families.
….pledges support to communities towards harnessing cultural potentials
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has said that sustaining cultural values is a veritable means of achieving socio-economic growth towards a better society.
The Governor stated this in an address at the Fourth Edition of Gwandum Annual Cultural Festival in Gwandum, Kaltungo Local Government Area where he was the special guest of honour.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, Governor Yahaya commended the Gwandum community for complementing government’s efforts towards harnessing cultural potentials to boost social activities and economic development.
The Governor said his administration acknowledges the role of culture as a driver of economic diversification, and social integration, assuring that government would do everything possible to ensure the sector receives the desired attention.
He explained that the administration’s policies on health care delivery, quality education, infrastructural development and the Gombe Goes Green projects anong others, are all geared towards transforming and impacting on, and tapping human, and natural resources for the overall good of the society.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Speaker of Gombe state House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim Kurba and his Bauchi state counterpart, Hon.Abubakar Y. Lawan commended Gwandum community for making effort to revive and sustain their cultural values.
In a message, the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Alhaji Ibrahim Alhassan Kwami applauded the community for complementing government’s efforts in resuscitating the cultural heritage.
Represented by the Director Culture, Ms Victoria Usman Mamuda, the Commissioner described staging of cultural festivals as a good development, as it showcases the culture and artefacts for people to take advantage of, for job creation and economic empowerment.
He highlighted the need for communities, to apply culture in checkmating the ugly and negative side of technology on the people, especially the youths so as to save the cultural heritage that is at verge of extinction.
In his address of welcome, the Chairman of the occasion, Engineer Abubakar Bappa, who is also the Commissioner of Works and Transport welcomed the dignitaries and enjoined them to enjoy the display of the rich culture and artefacts of Gwandum people.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi and the Representative of the Mai Kaltungo were among the dignitaries who added colour to the festival.
Highlights of the occasion include, display of Cultural dances and artefacts among others.
…Says report to be tabled before State Executive Council
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has received the report of the Professor Buba Bajoga led committee on tertiary institutions.
Speaking during a brief ceremony held at the Exco Chamber, Governor Yahaya said his administration will study the recommendations at the State Executive Council level with a view to taking decisions and coming up with implementation strategy that will be in the best interest of the people of the
state.
The Governor expressed the belief that with the calibre of the committee membership, which comprised academics of high repute and seasoned administrators, a thorough and comprehensive job must have been carried out, assuring that justice will be done to the document.
He assured the people of the State that his administration will continue to accord the education sector the priority it deserves for the overall good of the younger generation.
Governor Yahaya decried that over the years, Gombe state had consistently remained at the bottom of the ladder in academic performance, especially in national examinations, saying his administration is already taking measures to reverse the ugly trend by improving the quality of education from the basic level which he noted will ultimately dovetail to tertiary level and have effect on the state’s rating.
“I believes once proper and sound basic education is attained, certainly there will be optimal performance and our students will have the ability to meet admission requirements to actualize their dreams of studying at institutions of higher learning “.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Buba Bajoga said the observations and recommendations contained in the report were made after the committee had visited all the campuses of the 5 institutions to assess their level of establishment, preparedness and ability to operate in accordance with their enabling laws.
According to Professor Bajoga, the committee also examined the academic facilities, including the infrastructure, number and ranks of academic and non- academic staff, academic support facilities such as workshops, libraries, laboratories, lecture theatres among others.
He said, in the cause of their assignment, they held consultations with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders and managements of the institutions under review and received memoranda.
The committee members expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve.
It may be recalled that on the 24th July, 2019, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya inaugurated the committee with a clear term of reference and a mandate to review the status of 5 tertiary institutions in the state namely, Gombe state University of Science and Technology Kumo, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Nafada, State Polytechnic, Bajoga, School of Health Technology, Kaltungo and School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dukku.
The committee was mandated to, among others, review the establishment of the institutions from inception; assess the potentials and relevance or otherwise of the institutions to the educational and overall socio-economic development needs of Gombe State; assess the viability and sustainability of the institutions considering the financial resources and status of the state, especially in view of the heavy debt overhang, the Local Government autonomy viz-a viz the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit ( NFIU) regulations being enforced by the federal government.
It was also to prioritise the need of the state in terms of basic, vocational and tertiary education with a view to sharing the resources available.
The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB Gombe Hon. Babaji Babadidi has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at some completed and on-going projects of the Board in Gombe metropolis.
The Chairman stated this when he led some management staffs of the Board to inspect projects in Pantami, Jauro Tudun Wada and Gandu Junior Secondary School of the State capital.
Hon. Babadidi said the visit was primarily to set in motion processes for the taking over of the completed classroom blocks while putting pressure on contractors whose work is lagging behind to increase the speed of work.
He said the taking over process of completed projects across the State have been allocated to the full time members and the secretary of the Board.
“When the taking over process is completed, our classes will be decongested and our children will better and happier for”.
Hon. Babaji Babadidi thanked Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya for his unwavering commitment towards repositioning the educational sector in the State and called on the citizens to support the policies and programmes of present administration in the State.
Head teachers of the schools visited express appreciation to SUBEB for expansion the carrying capacity of their school.
Gombe state Government has procured modern fire fighting equipment and facilities to strengthen the state fire service for quick and effective response to emergencies.
Launching the equipment on behalf of the state Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Mela Audu Nunghe said the precurement of the equipment is in fulfilment of Government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizenry.
Barrister Nunghe also disclosed that the State Government is engaging the Federal Fire Service to procure more trucks with a view to reaching all the 11 Local government areas of the state with fire fighting services.
While commending the fire service officers for their diligence and sacrifice, the commissioner enjoined them to live up to expectations as Government will continue to improve their working condition and reward excellence.
He appealed to the people of the state to always cooperate with the officers and men of the fire service by promptly reporting fire and disaster cases for action, adding that the state is now having a first class fire fighting equipment to tackle emergency incidents.
He warned staff of the fire service to ensure proper and effective use of the facilities as abuse will be punished accordingly.
In his remarks, the Director, State Fire Service, Bakari Majidadi lauded the Inuwa Yahaya led adminstration for equipping the service and assured that with such motivation, fire fighting services will be taken to greater heights.
The equipment launched include; compound fumes used in fighting oil related incidents, rescue lines, safety kits, Uniforms among others.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has assured that his administration will partner with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in order to benefit from part of the 60 million US Dollars set aside by the UN agency to boost Nigeria’s industrialisation.
Governor Yahaya gave the assurance when he received in audience, the UNIDO representative to ECOWAS and Country Director, Nigeria Regional Hub, Mr. Jean Bakole at the Government House, Gombe.
He noted that the UNIDO/ Nigeria Industrialization programme document is in tune with his administration’s vision and economic diversification plan, especially with his determination to set up an industrial park in Dadinkowa as well as the efforts to revitalize the Balanga Dam.
He commended the organisation for its support towards achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development, assuring that his administration will provide its counterpart funding in order to benefit from the UNIDO- Nigeria country industrialisation fund.
Alhaji Yahaya said his government has always paid attention to human capital development aside the provision of basic infrastructure, healthcare services, quality education and good governance aimed at improving the quality of life of the citizenry.
He said due to bad governance in the past, he had to seek for both local and international partnership and intervention in order to galvanise forces and tackle the socio-economic challenges inherited by his administration.
Governor Yahaya also disclosed that with the available potentials in the state, partnering the UN agency will impact positively on the state, assuring his visitor that his Government will do everything possible to ensure the realization of the Balanga Dam in view of its strategic importance to the social and economic development of the state.
Earlier the UNIDO Regional Director, MrJean Bakole, said the purpose of their visit was to seek ways of collaborating with Gombe state Government in domesticating the UNIDO/ Nigeria programme which includes industrial policy, agro allied industry, special economic hubs,science, technology and innovation among others.
He said UNIDO is committing $60 million into agriculture and agro-based businesses, trade and capacity building, housing and construction, infrastructure development, energy and environment, among other sectors.
He said Nigeria has provided a substantial part of its contribution towards the realization of the programme.
Mr. Bakoke said having visited Balanga Dam and seen the potentials, he is confident that if properly harnessed, the people will greatly benefit in terms of jobs and wealth creation.
He commended the Governor’s commitment to the well-being of the state, and assured of his agency’s readiness to support Gombe state’s industrialisation drive and the Governor’s remarkable vision for the state.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the UNIDO/ Nigeria programme document to the Governor.
Gombe State Government is to partner with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Gombe State Chapter in it’s fight against drugs abuse in the state.
Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi stated this when the newly elected officials of the Society visited him in his office Tuesday.
Njodi said that, Government is concern about the unwanton abuse of drug in the State hence the appointment of a Special Adviser on Drugs and Nacotics to advise the government on how best to tackle the menace.
He maintained that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has a great role to play in curbing the menance of drugs among the citizens assuring them of the state government support and readiness to work closely with them as partners in progress.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Gombe State Chapter Phamaciest Zubairu Sabastine expressed the association willingness to work with the state government in the areas of immunization and Sensitization of the citizenry against drugs abuse.
He call on the State Government to support the Society with a vehicle to enable them embark on sensitization to across the state.
…Says Government ready to implement recommendations, complete projects for benefit of people
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State today received the report of the committee on Mega Park,Tankers Bay and International Conference Centre, Gombe.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the over 7 billion Naira so far spent on Gombe Mega Motor Park, Tankers Bay and International Conference Centre as a waste and misplacement of priority, decrying that Government will still have to spend over 4 billion to complete the projects and put them to proper use.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the change upon which his administration rode into power was predicated on the improvement of the lives of the people.
He said to improve on the quality of human capital, his administration will complete all abandoned projects and manage same in the most effective and efficient manner.
The Governor said the setting up of the committee became imperative in view of his administration’s desire to get value for every kobo spent.
He assured the people of the state that his administration will do all it takes to complete the projects for the benefit of the people.
The chairman of the committee, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who is also the Deputy Governor of the state, said his committee was appalled by the over one hundred percent increament on the initial contracts sum by the immediate past administration.
He said, “It is surprising Your Excellency, that some of these projects had a jump for very unclear reasons; like the ICC from the initial 2.2 billion increased to 4.2 billion, the ultra modern mega park from 3.2 billion but was later jerked up to 6 billion Naira, Tanker Parking Bay from 352 million to 565 million Naira”.
Dr. Jatau noted that the setting up of the committee pointed to the burning desire of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to ensure transparency and accountability in government spending.
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