Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commiserated with Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo over the demise of his mother, Mama Laraba Gamso Lubo who passed away after a brief illness at the age of 81.
The Governor whose Condolence message was delivered through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi who led a delegation on a condolence visit to Lubo, Yamaltu Deba Local Government area.
He described the death of Mama Laraba as a huge loss not only to her family but the State and at large.
He said the deceased was a forthright and great mother whose contribution to the family birthed a great personality such as Air Vice Marshall Idi Lubo of the Nigerian Airfoce.
The Governor, extended his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Gombe state, consoling the grieving family to take solace in the fact that Mama lived an examplary Life that will be remembered by all those who came in contact with her.
He prayed God to grant Mama eternal rest and give those she left behind the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the deceased, AVM I.G Lubo thanked the Governor for identifying with the family during their moment of grief.
He said little did he know that his one day official visit to Gombe was to bid farewell to his beloved mother and close confidant.
He said, “I came for a short mission to Gombe that would see me return back to Abuja in a day or two but little did I know that God has planned it that I will see my mum for the last.”
He said the family totally submits to the will of Almighty God as death is something that is inavitable.
..as Governor Inuwa Yahaya pledges action to mitigate effects of erosion
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has provided relief materials to the victims of recent flood disaster in Nafada Local Government headquarters.
Presenting the materials to the victims at the Emir’s palace in Nafada, the Governor said, the gesture was meant to relief the pains the victims were passing through as a result of the displacement and devastation caused by the flood.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured that his administration will continue to carry out programmes and policies that will better the living condition of the people of the state.
He said, a technical team of experts has been directed to study and advise the government on measures to protect the town from being washed away by flood, expressing optimism that a solution shall be proffered towards mitigating effects of the devastation in the area.
Governor Yahaya said while the administration is committed to controlling flood in the state, the communities and individuals should also compliment Government efforts by avoiding waterways while building structures and to imbibe the culture of clearing drainages so as to allow free flow of water.
Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Hon.Usman Jahun Biri expressed appreciation to the Governor for the prompt response by visiting the area immediately after the flood and also sending relief materials to the victims.
In his own remarks, the Emir of Nafada, Alhaji Muhammad Dadum Hamza appreciated the concern shown by the Governor to the people of Nafada by dispatching various teams of experts to the community immediately after the flood on an effort towards finding lasting solution to the problem.
He assured the Governor of judicious distribution of the items, and called on his subjects to continue to pray for the government to succeed and for bountiful harvest.
The Director Administration and Finance, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mrs Larai Maigari announced the items donated to include the following: Rice (60 bags of 120 kg), Palm oil, (50 jerricans of 25 liters), Maize ( 200 bags of 100 kg) Blankets (300 pieces) Plastic buckets (250) Mats ( 250).
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the press, including Mallam Daudu Ahmadu, Adama Mama Ila and Dada Shabiki, thanked the Governor for the gesture, saying that the items will go a long way in alleviating their sufferings and providing succour for them.
Gombe state Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, located at the public health laboratory complex, Specialist Hospital, Gombe has commenced operations, testing about 50 samples per day for now.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ahmed Mohammed Gana said in due course the testing will increase to 120 per day.
He said so far about 16 positive cases were recorded from the lab.
He said ” We are confident that with what we have on ground, we can run 150 samples per day. We are proposing running 2 shifts per day”.
He said, “COVID-19 is real and we are yet to reach the peak of the Pandemic .The only way to combat this Infection is through prevention before we have a vaccine”.
“We must measure the burden of COVID-19 in the state and we can do that by testing. The public is really cooperating now, the drive will be sustained “.
…says his administration remains resolute in sustaining fight against coronavirus
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration will remain resolute in sustaining the battle against the covid-19 pandemic in line with the international guidelines.
He was speaking while receiving a progress report from the state Task force on covid-19 on its operational activities since inauguration in March 2020.
While appreciating the commitment of the leadership and members of the task force in managing the dreaded pandemic, the Governor said the updated document submitted will help government modify and improve on targets, form opinions and develop containment strategies.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya assued that his administration will implement the recommendations in the document, adding that his government will not leave any stone unturned in reaching out and partnering any organization or individual that can support the state in fighting the pandemic.
He stressed the need for improvement in reaching out to the world on the entire activities of the taskforce through all media platforms.
He said, ” This presentation marks another important milestone in the management of the covid-19 Pandemic which has infected and affected the state, the country and the world as a whole”.
He noted, ” Since the inauguration of the State Task force on convid-19 on the 23rd of March this year, alot of positive and negative developments have passed under the bridge but the positives far outweighed the the negative side of the struggle to contain the Coronavirus”.
“Our State has received alot of accolades from those who know and appreciate hard work, at a point when the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC was addressing the National Economic Council NEC, the case of Gombe was mentioned among the few that effectively manage the virus in accordance to international guidelines”.
He said the updates so far received from the Task force has assisted his administration in designing opinion and forming strategies that have brought success to the fight against the Coronavirus Pandamic.
“No one prays for the Pandemic, but that the coming of the covid-19 was God’s own test of the level of man’s resilience, patience and perseverance”, the Governor stated.
He explained that after series of engagements with the NCDC, the State finally established and commissioned its molecular laboratory which has since been testing for the covid-19 virus.
He said two of such laboratories are underway to be set up by the North East Development Commission, NEDC which will be sited at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and the second by TETfund which will be domiciled at the medical college of the Gombe State University.
The Governor said when the additional laboratories come on stream, the State will no doubt take the driver seat in covid-19 testing in the country and in case management.
He said the viral picture of a student writing his terminal examination at an isolation centre was quite commendable and underscored the proactiveness and seriousness of his administration in taking measures to contain the spread of the virus and ensure safety of the citizenry.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the Taskforce that all reports submitted by the committee will be published on Government website, local and international media outlets.
He said the zeal and commitment shown by the people and the Task force will be supported, saying his administration will leave no stone unturned in reaching out to relevant organisations for partnership.
Earlier in his remarks, The chairman Gombe State Task force on convid-19, Professor Idris Mohammed said the updated report presented to the Governor captured the establishment of molecular laboratory, School resumption for exiting students and the committee’s financial report from inception to date among others.
” The updated Report is being presented to you this morning, along with the Financial Report. We hope Your Excellency will find this useful. This is the third report that the Task Force is presenting to you, but will by no means be the last. This novel Coronavirus pandemic is peculiar in many respects, and its course is unpredictable. Therefore, no one knows for sure when it will end, nor do we even know if it will disappear altogether. It is thus imperative to remain prepared, active and vigilant in addressing the pandemic in all its unpredictable ramifications: severe economic downturn; social and religious disruption; and an impossible burden on health systems and infrastructure, among others”.
On the establishment of the testing centre, Professor Idris said “Following your observation that the Federal Authorities were slow or not forthcoming, you provided funds for the purchase of the necessary equipment – the rt PCR machine and its accessories – as well as upgrading and renovation of the SSH laboratories. The laboratory has now been established and has been approved and commissioned by the NCDC. Testing of samples from suspected Covid-19 infected persons has since began and is satisfactorily ongoing”.
Speaking on the re-opening of schools for exiting pupils/students, Professor Idris noted that the task force had put head together with the Ministry of education and officials of state universal basic education board (SUBEB) to ensure the covid 19 protocols are strictly adhered by both students, teachers and other stakeholders.
“The decision to reopen schools for examinations meant that the Task Force, in conjunction with the State Ministry of Education must of necessity prepare adequately for this to happen safely, with both students and teachers assured of highest protection from Covid-19”.
” Accordingly, all such returning students and their teachers were tested for Covid-19, the school premises fumigated”.
” The necessary preventive measures were put in place, such as provision of soap and hand washing facilities, hand sanitizers and face masks”
“In addition all schools were mandated to ensure social distancing and avoid assemblies. Arrangements were put in place to admit any students found to be positive for the infection to be admitted in equipped isolation centres where they could write the examination under joint supervision by the Ministry of Health, WAEC officials and staff of the Task Force in full protective gear”.
Professor Idris Mohammed recalled the remarks made by the Director General of NCDC who upon seeing the photograph of a Student writing his terminal examination in an isolation Centre in Gombe, gave the commendation thus:Good work by our colleagues in Gombe, there are many exceptional colleagues quietly pushing to make our country work.Thank you Gombe and keep pushing”.
He said with no significant financial assistance from outside the State, the Taskforce through the support of the Governor was able to test more than eleven thousand samples while establishing a molecular laboratory which costs over 120 million.
The Task force Chairman emphasized on the need for government to sustain its testing status so as to be able to ascertain the prevalence or otherwise of the pandemic in the state.
” Thankfully, the rate of positivity for Covid-19 in Gombe State has come down significantly of recent, and it is our hope and prayer that this trend will continue”.
While urging the Governor to continue the exemplary political leadership that containing the pandemic demands, he also appealed to healthcare professionals to remain committed as ever, despite the demands of these extraordinary times on their family and personal lives.
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed sadness over the demise of Chairman of Board of Directors of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN and Executive board member of International Press Institute, IPI, Wada Maida who died yesterday at the age of 70.
The Governor, in a condolence message, described the deceased as a forthright and thorough bred media practitioner and administrator who was committed to national cohesion.
He said the death of Maida is the departure of a great journalist whose contributions were widely acknowledged both within and outside the country.
He added that the late Chairman of people’s daily newspaper was a veteran journalist who mentored a lot of media personalities and impacted positively on the lives of many in the course of his career spanning journalism, public relations and administration.
Governor Yahaya extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the deceased’s home state, Katsina, the management and Staff of people’s daily newspaper as well as the media industry over the great loss, praying Almighty Allah to reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus and grant comfort to those he left behind.
The Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has been honoured with the icon of deligent service award by the Female Student Association of Nigeria.
Receiving the award the SSG said the honour will spur him to continually offer his services to the government and people of Gombe especially as it affect the welfare of the female fork.
He said the present administration of Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya is committed to the course of women in the State through the formulation of policies that will boost the economic status of women while addressing challenges confronting them such as Sexual and Gender Based Violence SGBV.
Professor Njodi acknowledged that women plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall character of any society and therefore needs the support and encouragement of the men fork as they go about discharging their duties as mothers and home keepers.
The SSG said is just about time for the society to give women the opportunity to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the Nigerian society particularly at the highest level of decision making of the country.
He commended the Association for its forthrightness in ensuring that the girl child is educated and providing the platform for female participation in political activities saying such a move will go a long way to discourage voter apathy among women.
Earlier speaking, the Secretary of the Female Students Association of Nigeria comrade Rafi’at Abdullahi said the award was in recognition of the SSG’s commitment and contributions to the intellectual growth and development of the girl child.
She said records available to the Association reveals that Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi achieved an enviable heights of success during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri.
Comrade Rafi’at who is a student of Umaru Musa Yaradua University Katsina said the Association came into force to address the backwardness inherent in girl Child education and challenges confronting womanhood such rape and sexual abuse.
Congratulating the SSG the Director Gombe State Bureau for Public Service Reforms Yusuf Daudu Kaltungo said the award speaks of the intellectual capacity and deligence of Professor Njodi as an academician and an administrator.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has expressed grief over the demise of Hajiya Hauwa Baba Manu who died today in Abuja after a protracted illness.
Late Hauwa Baba Manu, an academic staff of the Federal College of Education, Gombe was the wife of Abubakar (Gadidi) Yerima Abdullahi and daughter of the late Abdulkadir Baba Manu (ABM).
In a condolence message, Gombe Yahaya described the deceased as a courageous and level headed woman, who epitomized humility during her lifetime and impacted positively on her children and the family in general.
He said her death is a great loss not only to her immediate family but to the state as a whole.
Alhaji Yahaya, on behalf of the government and people of Gombe state, extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s husband, Alhaji Abubakar( Gadidi), the late ABM family as well as that of Ambassador Yerima Abdullahi over the great loss, praying Almighty Allah to grant her Aljannah Firdaus.
Recall that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had earlier directed that students, principals and teachers be tested for coronavirus preparatory to school resumption for exiting students, following which the state Ministry of Education subjected staff and students to covid-19 test, especially in schools under the students exchange programme.
Through the Ministry’s proactive measures, a student from Kaduna state who tested positive was immediately evacuated for isolation at state specialist hospital. Today he is writing his examinations under safe condition in the isolation center with full joint supervision of Ministry of Education, WAEC and Task force on covid 19.
Determined to ensure the sustainability of Community Health Influencers Promoters and Services (CHIPS) in Gombe State, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has released the sum of one hundred and sixty one million naira (161,000,000) to cover for the funding gap due to the expiration of the donor funded programme last year.
The Governor has equally taken over the payment of the monthly stipends of one thousand two hundred Community Health Influencers Promoters and Services, CHIPS agents scattered across 57 wards of the State.
Initially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Society for Family Health, the programme addresses challenges of health care system and improves coverage and equity in the provision of primary health care services especially to women and children.
The one thousand two hundred CHIPS agents have been engaged in counselling of pregnant women and referring them as well as their children to Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs).
The Executive Secretary, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu along side Directors in the Agency recently participated in the distribution of free commodities to the one thousand two hundred CHIPS agents in the State to be given to pregnant women.
The Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved and released the sum of Five Million Naira (5,000,000.00) for immediate procurement and Prepositioning of anti-snake venom doses at the Kaltungo snakebite treatment and research center.
The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Gana who disclosed this in a statement, said the gesture was in response to the recent increase in number of cases of snakebite and envenomation in the hilly areas of southern zone of the state.
He noted that the occurrence of cases of snakebites often peak during the rainy season, particularly affecting farmers as they engage in their farming activities.
“In this vein, the Governor calls the attention of the people living in the high risk areas to take all precautionary measures, and urgently report to the treatment center in the event of snakebite incidence”, the Commissioner stated.
He added that the Ministry of Health will continue to engage in proactive measures in controlling the endemic problem of snakebite in these high risk areas through health education, community engagement, provision of treatment commodities as well as safety wears where applicable.
Dr. Gana also assured that the Gombe State Government is doing everything possible to protect its people from all health emergencies in the State.
Snakebite and envenomation are major public health problems in Gombe State, especially in the hilly southern region of the state, where the Kaltungo Treatment and Research Center is strategically sited, and has been operational for over 80 years.
The center serves the people of Gombe State and also attends to hundreds of cases coming annually from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, Nassarawa and Jigawa states for treatment.
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