Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya earlier today paid a condolence visit to Justice Hamma Barka over the demise of his wife, Mrs. Safiya H. Barka.
A retired nurse, who served at the state Specialists Hospital and later Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Mrs Safiya Barka died at the age of 62, after a brief illness.
Commiserating with the Justice of the Court of Appeal, the Governor described the late Mrs Safiya as a great woman, family pillar and humanist who impacted positively on her children and community both during her service days as a health worker and in retirement.
He said her demise is a great loss, not only to her immediate family but the State in general, consoling her husband, Justice Hamma Barka and the entire family to take solace in the fact that the late Mrs Safiya lived a life of service to God and humanity.
The Governor prayed for the repose the soul of the deceased and for God to grant the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Responding, Justice Barka thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for identifying with his family in their moment of grief, saying the visit demonstrated the Governor’s love and kindness to his family. He prayed God to reward him abundantly.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House
In preparation to the commencement of work for the upgrade of Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital to a Research Centre, a delegation from the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs led by Dr, Ibrahim Jalo Daudu has visited the Hospital for a final lap of assessment of the facility.
The delegation was at instance of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDG’s Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire.
The Dr. Daudu led delegation tour existing facilities at the hospital and also inspected a plot of land where new structures are expected to be constructed.
He also inspected the newly installed solar powered Borehole provided by the SDG’s that would serve as source of water for the world class Project.
It would be recalled that the SDG’s team of experts were in Kaltungo barely three weeks ago on an assessment and site seeing of the Hospital.
The delegation was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on SDGs Bashir Tukur, some staffs of the Goals as well as the representative of the constructing firm Mr. Remi.
The German Government International Development Agency is to partner with the Government of Gombe State in the areas of Governance and livelihood related programs.
This was disclosed by the German Consultant Mr. Nwabuaze Chibuzo when he visited the Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi SSG in his office Tuesday at the Government House.
Chibuzo said the team were in the State to conduct an assessment for the second phase of North East Nigerian Project of which Gombe State is to benefit.
According to him, the Project will commence next year and is expected to cover areas of livelihood and Governance.
He noted that, their visit to the state is to meet with relevant stakeholders while generating sufficient information that will help in the Program design as well as to a Programmatic decision on whether the State will fit into their plan of action.
Receiving the delegation the Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi reiterate the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya towards Partnering with Development partners.
He assured the German team of the State Government cooperation and support to ensure the success of the program and appreciated the German Government for such program which will go a long way in improving the lives of the citizens of the State.
In a remark the Special Adviser on Budget, Planning and development Partners co-odination Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed said they were in the SSG’s office to debriefed him on what the team has been doing for the past two days which is mainly, engagement with relevant stakeholders for the upcoming Program.
He said the team has met with relevant MDA’s , Civil Society, traditional actors and some other multi sectoral actors adding that that, the coming of German Government International Development Agency is exciting to Gombe State as it would equally help in actualizing the Ten Year development plan which Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has indicated interested to work with Local Governments to improve their planning capacity to ensure good Governance.
Joshua Danmalam Information officer SSG’S Office. 14/9/2021
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya earlier in the day, visited the Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu in Abuja to push for the full and effective utilisation of the completed Dadinkowa multi purpose dam for the benefit of the people.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said “as you may be aware, the Dadinkowa multi purpose dam has been completed and the hydro power section of it that is generating 40 megawatts of power has been lying idle for quite a while”.
The Governor added that issues relating to the full utilisation of the Dadinkowa multi purpose plant for the economic development of the State and the North East sub-region were extensively discussed as well other items of mutual benefit to both the Federal and Gombe state governments.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed confidence that the Minister of power will expeditiously handle all matters discussed at the meeting so that the people of the State and Nigerians in general can begin to reap the full benefit of the facility.
“Power is the key to socio-economic development. We must therefore appreciate the Federal Government for the efforts put in place to complete the plant, even as we stress the need for its full and effective utilisation for the benefit of all.”
He further disclosed that his administration is taking advantage of the dam to establish an industrial park within its vicinity in order to reap maximally from the project’s value chain.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu said the Federal Ministry of Power had for long developed interest in the Dadinkowa Dam due to its capacity to generate electricity and water for agricultural purposes.
The Minister commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his support towards the completion of the dam and his determination to ensuring that the multi purpose plant is put into effective use for the benefit of the State and the country.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Power will look into the issues tabled by the Governor with a view to giving them expeditious attention.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
The recent visit by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja has been viewed by public commentators and political analysts as one of the most dynamic and result-oriented engagements ever undertaken by the Governor since assumption into office two years ago.
The issues discussed at the meeting made it even more unique and reassuring, considering their irrefutable importance to national security, economic development, social cohesion and wellbeing of the people. As a matter of fact, the visit can be viewed from the prisms of patriotism and responsiveness embedded in rare leadership qualities exhibited by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
So what were the issues discussed? And to what extent would the eventual outcomes of the engagement rob off on Gombe State and the nation in general? At this point, it is important to clarify that the meeting was an initiative of the effervescent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to push for some germaine matters of benefit to Gombe State and its people. And so, when it was that time to meet with the President, the Governor wasted no time in presenting and intimating the Commander-in-Chief on items in his order paper.
Firstly, the Gombe State Governor presented to President Muhammadu Buhari the master plan of the Gombe Industrial Park, a monumental project conceived by the Governor and which is named after the Nigerian leader. The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is designed to sit on 1000 hectares of land and is expected to utilize the Dadinkowa Hydro power plant for its energy needs. Already, the Gombe State Government has approved over 16.4 billion naira contract for the construction of phase 1 of the Industrial Park, an ambitious contract sum and project never undertaken in Gombe state since the creation of the State in 1996.
According to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya during a parley with State House Correspondents, “We discussed the issue of Gombe Industrial Park which we awarded the contract to start in record time and it has been named after Mr. President. So, I informed him and sought his support to see that we deliver on that. You know our people are naturally peasant farmers and herders and if we’re able to put up the industrial park, we’ll have a big place that can provide opportunities for our youths in the industries within agricultural production, processing, marketing and distribution so that they will have very good means of livelihood and the economy will also improve”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya equally engaged the President on security matters vis- a- vis the comforting role Gombe State has been playing in hosting Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs from Boko Haram afflicted states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa thereby putting a strain on the State’s social infrastructure. During the heights of the Boko Haram insurgency, Gombe State became home to many fleeing IDPs, considering its proximity to the epicentre states of the uprising and above all the relative peace Gombe enjoys at that time and even now.
This sense of hospitality displayed by the Gombe State Government did infact come with a price as managing security in the State is gradually becoming a challenge. “For us we don’t put them in IDP camps; we allow them settle within our people and they have already acclimatised and are staying with our people but that puts a lot of strain on our resources. Schools, hospitals and other social facilities and amenities and equally security management is becoming an issue”, the Gombe State Governor said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also intimated the President on Gombe’s permanent NYSC Orientation Camp which now serves as a rehabilitation center for surrendering and repentant insurgents.
He told the President that the facility has not been formally taken over by the federal government. This development, the Governor maintained, has led to a steady decline in the number of Youth Corps members being deployed to the State thereby affecting the human resource that the State need in our schools and other Government establishments.
To this end, the Governor appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the state with equivalent amount to set up another NYSC orientation camp in view of the fact that Gombe State Government has come to realise that the de-radicalization center is no longer going to be temporary especially now that the insurgents are surrendering in their numbers.
The Governor also tabled before the President, the issue of Wawa-Zange grazing reserve and the need to fast track work on the largest gazetted reserve in Nigeria. With over 144, 000 hectares, the reserve was slated to be used as a pilot project for the National Livestock Transformation Programme of the Federal Government. “I believe that Mr. President earlier in 2020 precisely in his 2020 January speech acknowledged and approved that the National Livestock Transformation Plan which is expected to take off with a model from Gombe, the Wawa-Zange reserve, but so far, nothing serious has been done on that, and with the recent outburst, and position taken by governors of southern parts of this country, there is the need for us to fast-track the process of building that place so that in the event our people move in multitudes to come back to resettle, we will have a space for them”.
“We’ did request for funds. I believe that every other state will do so because you need the resources in order to implement and there is scarcity of financial resources in the state, so, we’ve requested and submitted a proposal that is fully backed by a feasibility report that indicates what we require”.
Equally discussed,was the issue of oil and gas discovered in the Benue Trough, specifically in Kolmani area which is situated in Bauchi and Gombe States. It is noteworthy that since the discovery of the black gold not much was achieved in terms of exploitation for the benefit of the people. Even though the Gombe State Governor acknowledges the political will and passion shown by the President since his days as the Federal Commissioner of Petroleum in the 80s and later when he became President, he however did not hesitate in appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to utilize his good office in pressurising the NNPC to commence full exploitation of the oil and gas in the Benue Trough.
“With the deposits discovered and the interest shown by investors who want to put in money and develop the gas and oil deposits available in that place, there is need for us to fast track the process of the take-off so that people will benefit from God’s resources that Nigeria is blessed with.”
To say the least, the meeting between the Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari is one strategic engagement that will go a long way in addressing the social, economic, political, security, cultural and even religious challenges confronting the Nigerian State and its people if properly implemented.
A closer look at the issues discussed at the meeting, points in clear terms, the audacity, tenacity and ‘never say die spirit’ of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to go to any length in advocating, canvassing and lobbying pivotal issues that can be beneficial not only to Gombe State and North East sub-region but indeed the entire entity called Nigeria.
Misilli is the Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has challenged the Governing Council and Management of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe to be ingenious towards coming up with realistic solutions that will help in addressing some fundamental issues affecting the institution.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya threw the challenge when he granted audience to members of the Governing Council as well as management of the College led by the Chairman of the Council, Ambassador Sahabi Isa Gada.
He said being the premier federal institution in the State, FCE ( T) Gombe has continued to render incredible academic services to the people of Gombe and those from other parts of the country.
“I make bold to say that FCE (T) has contributed tremendously not only to Gombe but to the entire country in terms of quality and content. I think the College is among those category of schools in this country that are highly rated”.
To this end, Governor Inuwa Yahaya tasked the management of the College to redouble efforts towards churning out and possibly exporting its products outside the country to compete on the global stage in academic research and development.
“Once we have high quality products we can export them anywhere in the world; so we must think big, plan big and act big before we become big. Nigeria must push and see that whatever we do is exportable so that we can earn foreign exchange that will be used to sustain our people instead of waiting and becoming a consumer nation”.
Governor Yahaya told the FCE Governing Council that Gombe State Government, through NEWMAP, had succeeded in controlling the monstrous 7.5 kilometre GSU- Malam Inna gully erosion which gulped about 3 billion naira.
The Governor who assured his guests that the gullies ravaging the landscapes of the FCE T will equally be attended to with a view to protecting the College, however explained that Gombe State is at the moment challenged by over 200 active gullies and arresting such monstrous gorge within the limited resources of the State is simply a herculean task.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya observed that the situation of gullies in the State is further compounded by poor Agricultural practices which often take the form of indiscriminate felling of trees to ultimately pave way for environmental degradation and desertification.
“The FCE has a lot to do in this regard. I believe you do courses in Agricultural mechanization or extension or anything similar; you must therefore think towards contributing so that we can jointly address the problem”.
The Governor noted that climate change and global warming were the reasons why people had to migrate with their animals in search of means of survival and therefore called on all men and women of goodwill to take special interest in regenerating the environment for the benefit of all and sundry.
On the issue of Students’ hostel and provision of portable water, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said his administration will consider the requests within its means.
“So we must join hands and work together because the problem is common to us and the people are our own most especially when you mention that 95 percent of the students are from Gombe State so at the end of the day helping you is like helping our own selves”.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe, Ambassador Sahabi Isa Gada said they were in the State as part of the Council’s quarterly engagements to brainstorm on the high and low lights of the institution.
He said since its establishment in 1977, the College has produced over twenty thousand NCE certificate holders and a handful of graduates from its degree programmes affiliated to the University of Maiduguri.
Ambassador Sahabi Gada said despite some of the College’s successes in producing teachers to fill in the man power gap in primary and post primary schools, the institution is challenged with monstrous gullies, lack of portable water and hostel accommodation for students.
He therefore appealed to the Gombe State Government to look into the possibility of assisting the College within available resources.
The Chairman Governing Council used the visit to extol Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for displaying uncommon leadership towards the provision of infrastructure that have direct bearing on the lives of the common man.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
…. says Governor Inuwa is committed to actualizing Gombe 10 years development plan.
Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has challenged participants at Medium Term Sector Strategies workshop to utilize the knowledge acquired in order to help actualize the spirit and latters of the Gombe ten years development plan for the benefit of the people of the State.
Professor Njodi gave the indication while speaking at the workshop organised by the Gombe State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and USAID State 2 State project taking place at the Gombe International Hotel.
He emphasized that the Medium Term Sector Strategies framework been developed at the sectoral level is by extension the implementation of the Development Agenda for Gombe State DEVAGOM which invariably forms budgetary allocation to the different sectors in the State going forward.
The SSG commended the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and USAID State 2 State project for providing technical support for the training which is critical to the realization of the goals captured in Development Agenda for Gombe State.
Professor Njodi equally lauded the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning and Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs for deploying seasoned resource persons to help work out modalities for the production of the Medium Term Sector Strategies for the eleven sectors which forms the 5 pillars of DEVAGOM.
Earlier in his address of welcome the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Budget Planning and Development Partners Coordination Dr. Mohammed Ishiaku recalled that at the launch of the Gombe ten year development plan the Governor had emphasized the need to have a practical functional sustainable implementation framework to support the plan.
He said it was for this reason that the Gombe State Government approached the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and USAID State2State project in order to deploy it technical support towards the actualization of the Gombe State ten years development plan.
He said over the last two days participants were taken through policy goals and objectives development intervention and issues that has to do with prioritising and ranking in accordance with available resources.
Joshua Danmalam Information officer SSG’S Office. 9/9/21
In line with public financial management reform in Nigeria, Gombe State has taken the lead in an effort to produce strategic, realistic and forward looking annual budgets as envisaged by its 10- year development plan, also known as development agenda for Gombe State, DEVAGOM.
To this end, Gombe State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Governor’s Furum and United States Agency for International Development, USAID is conducting a Workshop for officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the State’s Medium Term Sector Strategy, MTSS at the Gombe International Hotel.
Declaring the workshop open, the State Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Gambo Magaji explained that the role of civil servants in formulating and executing government plans especially the medium-term sector strategies cannot be over emphasized.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the participants to dissect the issues at stake, saying the civil servants are the same thematic group that prepared the Gombe 10- year Development Plan, otherwise known as the Development Agenda for Gombe State, DEVAGOM.
The Commissioner stated that the success or failure of government programmes are largely determined by planning and budgeting to which civil servants play crucial roles.
The Special Adviser to Gombe State Governor on Budget, Planning and Development Partners Coordination, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed said that the Medium Term Sector Strategy is the implementation framework for the DEVAGOM.
He said it provides the link between policy and resource allocation, expressing optimism on the potential of the workshop to equip and empower civil servants and officials to deliver on the ambitious goals of the Inuwa Yahaya administration as captured in DEVAGOM.
Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed said this is the first time that the Medium Term Sector Strategy process is being conducted in the state and is a model for the entire country as it derives directly from the Gombe 10-year development plan.
“As you are aware, during the launch of the plan, His Excellency charged that there should be a very robust implementation framework for the plan so that it doesn’t end up being a plan that is lying on the shelves; so what has happened now with the support of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and USAID is that we have been availed some technical support in the form of about eleven experts in financial management and policy that are now training our Directors to PRS and Directors of the different technical departments of all the eleven sectors that align with the five pillars of our 10- year development plan”.
He added that at the end of the 3-day Workshop, they would have been able to produce 5 medium sectors for health, education, water and sanitation, Agriculture and infrastructure.
The development planning expert is confident that this workshop is a major step in the actualization of the Gombe State 10- Year Development Plan.
The Senior Programme Manager, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Olanrenwaju Ajogbasile and the Resident Public Financial Management, USAID State- to-State, Dr Eunice Ngozi Okpala Okoraofor commended the Governor of Gombe State for deeming it necessary to convoke the MTSS meeting in order to ensure a strategic budget planning and implementation.
To both experts, such foresight indicates leadership and uncommon commitment of the Governor to work the talk.
Director-General of the Gombe State Civil Service Reforms had earlier challenged participants to be resolute while the training lasts.
The University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN has on Saturday confered on the Secretary to Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi the distinguished Alumnus Award of the premier Institution.
The presentation was held at a Colourful Dinner and Award Night to honour the SSG jointly organise by UNN in Collaboration with the University of Maiduguri where he was the former Vice Chancellor.
Presenting the Alumnus Award, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe says Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi is one of the finest Alumnus the institution had produced describing him as an epitome of humanity, hard work and dedication in all fecets of human endeavour.
He noted with pride that UNN has produced such a personality, an ambassador of the University expressing confidence that the recognition would strengthen him do more in providing services to the nation and humanity in general.
In a remark the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri Professor Aliyu Shugaba, and the Vice Chancellor Federal University of Kashere Professor Umar Alhaji Pate eulogies Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi for his excellent services he rendered while he was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri noting that his indelible mark will never be forgotten.
The event witnessed by Family Members, wel wishers was attended by the University Community of both the UNN and Unimaid amidst encomiums on the man of the moment Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of the UNN Distinguished Alumnus Award and the presentation of Two books by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri in honour of the former Vice Chancellor.
Joshua Danmalam Information officer SSG’S Office 5/9/21
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya earlier today led a delegation to attend the funeral prayer ( Janazah) of the late elder statesman, Ambassador Aliyu Dala – Hassan.
The elder statesman and educationist, died in the early hours of today, Sunday, 5th September, 2021 at the age of 81 years.
Chief of staff Government House, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, member representing Gombe North in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Ali Baba Manu, Commissioners and other government officials as well as Emirs of Deba and Yamaltu were among other symphatizers that attended the Janazah prayer held at Izala Mosque, Shagon Goro, Gombe.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya had earlier, in a statement, described the late diplomat as a distinguished public servant, highly respected educationist, community leader and elder statesman with a pedigree of humility, honesty and hard work.
He said that the death of Ambassador Dala is a huge loss, not only to his immediate family but to the state and nation at large.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya urged members of the family to take solace in the fact that their father lived an honourable life both in service and in retirement, and left a legacy of dignity and honour.
The Governor extended his heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the Government and people of the state to the immediate family of the deceased as well as the Deba Emirate where he held the traditional title of Matawalle and senior council member until his demise.
Governor Inuwa also prayed Almighty Allah to grant him Aljannat Firdaus and comfort the bereaved family with fortitude to bear the great loss.
Born on 31st March, 1940, the late Aliyu Dala-Hassan served Nigeria meritoriously in various capacities and held several positions, including Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Libya and High Commissioner to Malta, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State and Member representing North East in the National Assembly Service Commission among others.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
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