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…Commends Governor Inuwa for keying into FG Programmes to boost Economic Activities in Gombe

…As Governor Reveals Plan to Establish Gombe State Enterprise Development Agency

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says, in collaboration with states, the federal government will continue to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs because of their central position as propellers of economic growth.

Vice President Osinbajo stated while speaking at the 27th edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME clinic held at the Pantami township stadium of Gombe metropolis.

He said MSMEs provide employment to a large number of people which is why the Federal Government deemed it necessary to initiate National MSME clinics where regulatory agencies whose works affect business experience can assist small business holders across the country to grow.

The Vice President noted that Gombe State has been actively engaged in ensuring that its citizens benefit from MSMEs related schemes, commending Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for championing the course of human capital development through economic activities in the State.

“Thus far in the payroll support for Gombe State, we have ensured that about 9085 employees, from close to 2000 MSMEs in the educational sector have benefited from the scheme, another 10,000 artisans and transporters have also benefited from this State, up to 6000 new business names have been registered free of charge with CAC from businesses that are in the State. In all, MSMEs, in Gombe State has been supported by the Federal Government with almost 1.2 billion naira under the economic sustainability plan “.

The Vice President said despite the huge challenges facing Gombe State, the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was able to ignite the ‘can do spirit’ of the people of the State through policies geared towards developing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the State.

He paid glowing tribute to the people of Gombe State for their resilience and steadfastness in Agricultural activities, especially in cotton production and invention, singling out for praises, some three indigenes of the State who invented a ventilator at the height of the covid-19.

In his remarks, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed appreciation to the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for its commitment to improving the living standard of the people by creating opportunities in all aspects of human endeavor.

The Governor said the people of Gombe State, are witnesses to the amazing transformation in infrastructure, agriculture, technology, small and medium scale enterprises development in the State and the country in general.

He said “the hosting of the 27th Edition of the National MSME Clinic is an important milestone in the development of the local economy in Gombe State, as it is expected to facilitate the development of small-scale enterprises by serving as a one-stop shop for all MSME-related information, bringing together all relevant stakeholders, promoting the production and consumption of locally produced goods and services”.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the clinic will also help small and medium scale businesses in areas of improving access to finance, business registrations, access to market, skills acquisition and compliance with regulatory requirements, alongside other reforms around ease of doing business, adding that his administration is working to create a conducive environment for our small and medium enterprises to thrive and succeed.

“The choice of Gombe State for the 27th MSME Clinic is both apt and timely. We are blessed with an economy that is driven by enterprising and hard-working young men and women. No wonder the British Historian, Dr Mary Tiffen, aptly described the people of Gombe as “The Enterprising Peasants” in her seminal book on the history of Economic Development in Gombe (1900—1968). Added to the uniquely favorable conditions for individual enterprise, our strategic position at the center of the Northeast subregion puts us at the heart of the regional trade, commerce and agriculture”.

He said his administration is working to reposition the MSME sub sector, saying his government has already presented a bill for the creation of the Gombe State Enterprise Development Agency to the State House of Assembly.

“When created, the Agency is expected to drive MSME development in the State by harnessing the enormous potentials of our small and medium scale businesses across various economic and social sectors. I have no doubt that with this development, the House of Assembly will expedite action by passing it into law”.

He said since coming to office, his administration has been working to lay a solid foundation for industrial development of Gombe State, with specific focus on MSMEs, adding that the recently launched 10-year Development Plan for Gombe State identified the MSME sub sector as an important driver of economic and social advancement.

“With the plan to set up the Dadin Kowa industrial park, coupled with our enormous potentials in hydropower, oil and gas, irrigation agriculture and solid minerals, Gombe State is on track to become the industrial hub of the North-east subregion”.

He said a commensurate effort aimed at boosting human capital development has propelled his administration to invest in the revitalization of the education and health sectors, as well as equipping the teeming population of young men and women with the skills and qualifications to succeed in the 21st century.

The Governor said recent developments in the country and in other parts of the world are important pointers for the country to focus more on the need to create opportunities for the youths.

“For us, we see our increasing youth population as both a challenge and an opportunity for the country. As a challenge, we are at risk of instability resulting from anger, frustration and hopelessness of millions of our unemployed youths. On the other hand, we should see it as an opportunity to address our developmental challenges if we tap from their innovation, creativity and energy”.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya thanked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other critical stakeholders for the commitment to the advancement of MSMEs through the various initiatives that are aimed at promoting socio-economic development in the country.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved the review of National policy on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs which provides the framework to resolve the challenges faced by the sector.

She said the aim of the revised policy reflects unfolding economic and social challenges confronting MSMEs in the country and ultimately profer workable solutions to them.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi said in fulfillment of his campaign promises, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has provided good health care facilities, Condusive Educational system, durable and efficient infrastructure among many other interventions.

“I can testify without mincing words or fear of any contradiction that we in Gombe State are lucky to have a true leader whose only desire is the overall good of the people”.

The Vice President had earlier undertaken a tour of the Gombe industrial cluster located at BCGA where he interacted with the entrepreneurs.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)

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Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has felicitated with national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he turns 69 years today, 29th March, 2021.

In a goodwill message, Governor Yahaya described Tinubu as a true democrat and large-hearted politician who sacrificed a lot for Nigeria, describing as legendary and inspiring, his relentless commitment and love for the nation and democracy.

He said with his pedigree and track records of mentoring, guidance and support for upcoming leaders to accomplish their dreams, Tinubu has written his name in gold in the annals of history and earned for himself, national and global accolades and respect.

Governor Yahaya who said the APC leader personifies courage in leadership and patriotism, saluted his abiding faith in ideals of democracy and the Nigerian project.

He also showered encomiums on the former Lagos state governor for his bridge-building and humanitarian disposition, his dogged commitment to the success of APC and President Buhari’s administration as well as the unity and invisibility of the country.

Governor Yahaya prayed God Almighty to continue to bless Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with good health and long life to continually serve the nation and humanity.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe

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….Says Work Underway to Revamp State Media Outfit for Effective, Efficient Service Delivery

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration will provide all necessary support to the state’s media outfit, Gombe Media Corporation, GMC in order to enable it compete favourably with other broadcast stations in the state.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated this when he received members of the governing board of the GMC led by its chairman, Muhammad Kabir Abdullahi at the Council Chamber of the Government House.

The Governor described the board of the GMC as indispensable owing to the fact that the state media outfit is the official mouth piece of Government which churns out news and programmes on the policies and activities of the State to the people to keep them abreast with happenings within the corridors of power.

He said members of the board were carefully selected and appointed because of the belief that they can turn the fortunes of the media house for the better and position it well to compete favourably with others and blow the State Government’s trumpet lauder.

“We shall not allow somebody to blow our trumpet for us, we have to blow it ourselves and dance it the way we want it”.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya who noted the challenges of the GMC as presented by the chairman for short, medium and long terms consideration, said it was his wish to address the problems holistically so that the station can be on good stead to deliver on its mandate without giving an excuse.

“I think we need a holistic review of Gombe Media Corporation. We are ready to provide all required equipment and facilities that will make the place up and running. An any staff that is not needed can be posted out because you have no course to become redundant or an obstacle rather than a facilitator for the success of Government”.

He said the redundancy issue is not only peculiar to Gombe Media Corporation alone but most of the Government Agencies, citing as example, the Gombe Liaison office in Abuja which has 72 staff with most of them doing little or nothing to justify their continuous stay there.

“As at today half of our statutory allocation goes into paying salaries, that is even before the commencement of the N30, 000 naira minimum wage, and with the implementation, over 237 million naira has gone into salaries again and the cost of running Government has increased because of inflation. So whatever you touch is virtually taking us to ground zero”.

He said matters are even made worse for the State giving its standing in statutory allocation and the low capacity of the State to generate revenue, saying even though the State is gradually picking up in terms of IGR, Gombe still ranks low in revenues both internally and externally.

He said the State had previously over borrowed, decrying the debt to revenue ratio which is used by the debt management office to determine how a state can borrow which is 22.8 percent instead of the threshold of 20 percent which he said hampers the State’s capacity to borrow and run its affairs.

Delivering the roadmap towards repositioning the broadcast station, the Chairman, Governing Board of the Gombe Media Corporation, Muhammad Kabir Abdullahi said some of the challenges confronting the station include; none functional generator, obsolete equipment and machinery as well as dilapidated buildings.

He said despite the enormity of the challenges confronting the station, the board members have agreed to intervene in the following areas; technical expertise to revamp both human and material resources, installation of earthing system to prevent thunder strike, provision of digital camera, micro wave link to star times transmitter and provision of solar energy among others.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Gombe Media Corporation, Kabiru Ibn Mohammed told the Governor that on assumption into office, he met a station that is bedeviled with numerous human and material challenges, noting that the composition of the board of the GMC points to the readiness and commitment of the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to transform the station and make it a model.

He assured that the Gombe Media Corporation will continue to serve as the mouth piece of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House,
Gombe

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…Pledges Continued Support to Nigerian Army, Other Security Agencies

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration is determined to ensuring close synergy with heads of security agencies with a view to sustaining the prevailing peace being enjoyed in the state.

The Governor was speaking when he received the Acting General Officer Commanding of the 3 Armoured Division, Jos, Brig. Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya told the new GOC that Gombe is peaceful compared to other states in the region but security challenges in the neighbouring states have been manifesting in Gombe considering the number of displaced persons residing in the suburb communities of the metropolis.

He explained that Gombe shares border with all the 5 states of the North East region as such he will not relent in prioritizing matters on security through close synergy with security and other law enforcement agencies.

The Governor pledged support to the Nigerian Army wing operating in Gombe through provision of any required operational logistics in order to boost the morale of the personnel in discharging their duties.

He lauded the role of security agencies in combating criminal activities and other forms of violence in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed assured Governor Inuwa Yahaya that the officers and men of the of the 3 Div will do everything within their power to sustain the security and peace in Gombe State.

He said his visit was to formally present himself to the Governor having taken over from his predecessor after the recent change of leadership in the army which resulted in some postings, including his deployment to the Marxwell Khobe Cantonment as GOC.

He said, “I want to assure your excellency and the good people of Gombe State that we shall continue to operate professionally for sustainable peace and security in the state. We will work with other security agencies and loyal citizens to ensure that the peaceful environment in the state is improved upon. We cannot do it alone. We’ll work with all to get the best”.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe

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…Commends Governor Inuwa for Keying into FG’s Agricultural Revolution, Reviving Cotton Production

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the revolution in rice production across the country as a product of his administration’s clear sighted policy and the deligent execution of it by institutions of state such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The President gave this indication at the Commemoration of the national rice festival and the flag-off of the North East 2021 and 2nd cycle 2021 dry season rice cultivation programme and 2020 wet season harvest aggregation and sales of paddy to millers held in Gombe.

Represented by the Kebbi State Governor, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the President expressed gratitude to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for solving the problems of financing in Agriculture and State Governors for championing the cause of rice production and other agricultural commodities, singling out Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for special commendation for reviving the cotton value chain for which the State was once known for.

The President said despite limited resources his administration has achieved monumental results in the Agricultural production and its value chain, saying a lot of infrastrastural projects that will galvanize economic activities are being undertaken across the country for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said but for the policy direction of the President and the sound support of the CBN, the heaps of rice pyramids on display would not have been possible.

“The pyramids are back and we are happy to see this and let me recall that only in January the Management of Central Bank with the National Cotton Association were here in Gombe and they kick-started the aggregation process of cotton farmers who equally paid the facilities they took in kind to signal the return of cotton production”.

He said Gombe state is a shining example in the anchor borrower programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria owing to the fact that farmers in the State are poised on taking advantage of the programme to boost agricultural production and eventually pay in kind facilities obtained to maintain sustainability.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said Gombe State has a favourable climatic condition for the production of sorghum, sesame seeds, and other Agricultural commodities, making it a perfect destination for Agriculture revolution in the North East sub-region.

“Gombe is an agrarian State, with 85% of our people engaged in farming activities. Agriculture is therefore an important source of livelihood to our people and the bedrock of our economy”

“Gombe has tremendous potentials in rice production. We have three major Dams in Dadin Kowa, Balanga and Cham. We are working with UNIDO to tap into those potentials for both irrigation agriculture and hydropower generation. Our Government is working on the Gombe State Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa. The park has a huge Agricultural Industrial Park section that’s geared towards commercial production and processing of agricultural products”.

He said the support farmers in the State got from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN enabled them to produce en mass, leading to the realization of the rice pyramid on display at the tanker bay along Gombe/Bauchi road.

The Gombe State Governor, said the State is open and ready to key into any initiative that will assist farmers have access to facilities and inputs that will improve their capacity to engage in the production of Agricultural commodities.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for displaying leadership in the nation’s march towards food sufficiency, as the nation can now boast of eating what it produces and produces what she eats.

The Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar said the rice pyramid on display is an indication of the commitment and steadfastness of President Muhammadu Buhari through the Central Bank Nigeria CBN to revolutionise Agriculture in the country and guarantee food security.

He said before the coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, farmers in the country used to get between 1.7 to 2.5 tons per hectare but that at the moment farmers are getting 6 tons per hectare on the average owing to the Federal Government’s extension services, financial support and provision of farm inputs to small holder farmers among others.

The Governor of the Central Bank Nigeria CBN, Godwin Emefiele said since the anchor borrower programme was launched by president Muhammadu Buhari some five years ago, it has become a game changer in Nigeria and will ultimately help in achieving some of the goals of the Government’s economic sustainability plan.

He said under the wet season farming, CBN/RIFAN Partnership will finance 221 thousand farmers to cultivate two hundred and twenty one thousand hectres in 22 States, saying of this number, the North East sub-region will have forty four thousand eight hundred and seven farmers to cultivate over forty four hectres representing over 20 percent of the total number of farmers and hectres respectively.

The President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN Mohammed Aminu Goronyo said Nigeria has come of age in rice production to conveniently feed its growing population, attributing the feat to President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision in that direction.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe

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…As Gombe Participates in National Virtual Launch of USAID Nigeria State2state Project

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed optimism that the State2State project of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID through the Development Alternative Initiative ( DAI) will support the reforms being carried out by his administration to ensure that citizens of the State benefit from the lofty ideals of the partnership.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated this at the national virtual launch of USAID Nigeria, State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) activity in Gombe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Adamawa States.

He said since coming into office in 2019, his administration has embarked on significant governance reforms having realized that there will be no meaningful development without it.

This, the Governor said, is in line with the promise he made to the people to deliver on good governance which guarantees democratic dividends to the citizens of the State.

“I am delighted that the State2State project has started in Gombe since October 2020 and is a testimony to the commitment made by USAID when the Country Director visited us in December, 2019”.

Governor Yahaya said since the commencement of USAID activities in the state, he had hosted the Chief of Party of the project, Mr. Tressan Sullivan and his team in his office late last year where an insightful discussions were held on the new project and the vision of his administration for the state.

” I am pleased to note the aim of State2State project; which is strengthening governance systems with a focus on public financial management [PFM] and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation related to the delivery of services in key sectors such as basic education, primary health care, and water, sanitation and hygiene [WASH]) as well as increasing government responsiveness to citizen needs, priorities and improving government and civil society capacity to manage conflict, which he emphasized sits firmly with this administration’s focus on human capital development as the pathway to sustainable prosperity for the people.

“Some of the Governance reforms that we embarked upon since coming into office include; establishment of the Budget planning and Development partner’s coordination office, headed by a development practitioner. This office coordinates all donor related activities in the state”.

The Governor added that his administration has equally established the Bureau for Public Service Reforms,
trimmed down the number of Ministries from 29 – 21,
re-examination of the fiscal laws in the state that were passed into law some years ago but were not being fully implemented.

Other reforms, Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained, include the re-organization of the State Internal Revenue Generation outfit which is already yielding positive results, noting that brought about the highest IGR collected in 2020 ever since the state was created in 1996.

“We introduced the Treasury Single Account in order to block leakages. We have embarked on biometric data capture of Civil Servants.
We developed a Ten- year development plan tagged Development Agenda for Gombe State DEVAGOM 2021 – 2030, Establish the Hospitals Management Board as well as the Health Insurance Scheme (GoHealth) to ensure an efficient delivery of health care to our people across the state”.

While acknowledging the efforts of other USAID funded projects in Gombe state such as USAID Strengthening Education in the North East, SENSE, Mercy Corps and host of others, the Governor expressed the hope that the State2State project will support the reform efforts being carried out in Gombe State to ensure that our citizens benefit from the lofty ideals of the partnership, expressing the hope that the State2State project will look at the road map in DEVAGOM, hoping that the project will provide support where necessary.

In their separate remarks, the Governors of the benefitting states of Sokoto, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Bauchi and Adamawa States agreed with their Gombe State counterpart on their readiness to support the successful implementation of the project in their respective states.

In a goodwill message, the chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi called on the benefitting states to take advantage of the USAID’s State2State project to improve their capacity on accountability and transparency in public service.

Earlier speaking, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard said USAID will continue to provide technical support to Nigeria to strengthen accountability, transparency and effectiveness in public service.

The five-year, $72 million State2State Activity will help improve how the participating states plan and budget, raise revenues, increase civil society participation, and oversee service delivery in the health; education; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe

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…As Prof Tahir Mamman-led Committee Applauds Governor Inuwa Yahaya for Leading the Way by Setting Up 10-Man State Committee to Collate Gombe Inputs

Gombe state Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has thrown his weight behind the move by the governing All Progressives Congress, APC to review its constitution, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction.

The Governor who spoke during the APC North East stakeholders meeting in Gombe, described constitution review as a routine exercise that will help promote internal democracy and cohesion as well as reform and rebuild the party to meet up with current political realities and prepare for the future.

He commended the ruling party for giving the stakeholders a voice through the constitution review process to give it a sense of direction of running a good governance for Nigerians at all levels.

“The zonal meeting designed by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress across the six geo political zones of the country is timely considering the peculiar issues each zone faces”.

He particularly tasked the APC stakeholders in the North East geopolitical zone to rise to the occasion and ensure the region overcomes its peculiar challenges which he noted require collective intervention of all in government and the leadership of the ruling party.

“Despite the short duration, we are working tirelessly to ensure robust and broad-based consultation in order to address the concerns of various stakeholders. In Gombe State, we have set up a 10-man committee to engage all stakeholders to come up with a common position on key issues affecting the party.

He suggested the need for each state across the zone to form its sub-Committee, generate inputs and make submission to the Professor Tahir Mamman-led constitution review committee.

“We are expected to collate all our positions from various states and develop a common regional position for the North-east”.

Governor Yahaya who emphasized the need for party unity and cohesion, especially at this crucial time that Nigeria is battling many security, economic and social challenges, said “as elected leaders, we are working hard to deliver on good governance and democratic dividends to our people, in line with the founding vision of our great party”.

He noted that despite various challenges, the APC is still waxing stronger and in a good position to consolidate its political gains in 2023 and beyond.

While appreciating the role of the Mai Mala Buni- led national caretaker and extraordinary convention committee in charting a good course for the ruling party, Governor Yahaya charged members on unity of purpose, cooperation and brotherhood.

He also appreciated the leadership of President Buhari in tackling the numerous challenges facing the country, calling on Nigerians to continue to support the President in his quest to take the country to the next level.

The Chairman of the APC Constitution Review committee, Professor Tahir Mamman said APC leadership of Gov. Mai Mala Buni believes that in rebuilding the party, there must be reforms that reflect the current trends and aspirations of members, hence the setting up of the constitution review committee to address such issues.

He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for leading the way by setting up a state committee on the APC constitution review committee, urging other states to borrow a leaf from the Gombe Governor.

The meeting was attended by APC chairmen and delegates from the 6 states of the North East.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
( Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe

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