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My dear people of Gombe State,
It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation for your unwavering support and prayers that I address you on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of my administration. Five years ago, I stood before you, humbled by the immense responsibility bestowed upon me as the 4th civilian governor of Gombe State.
2. Last year, you were faced with the important decision to renew our mandate for another four years, which you did in resounding fashion, thus reaffirming your confidence in our collective vision and your satisfaction with the tangible progress we have made together. I am humbled by your support and trust, and I am proud to lead Gombe into an era of stability, progress and development.
3. Reflecting on our journey together, and as we move from one crisis to another (The Covid-19 pandemic, two economic recessions, global economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainties occasioned by the Russia-Ukraine conflict), we surmounted numerous challenges and braved through tough odds. Despite those challenges, our resolve never wavered. With your support and cooperation, we made remarkable strides and transformed Gombe to a model of excellence.
4. The story of our 5-year sojourn will not be complete without paying tribute to the support and sacrifice of our loyal supporters, close associates and dedicated officials; some of whom are no more, but whose contributions remain an indelible part of our success story.
5. There is no denying the fact that over the past 5 years, Gombe State has undergone unprecedented transformation across all indices of human development. Our achievements are there for all to see, in the many schools and thousands of classrooms we have built and renovated, in the many primary healthcare centres and hospitals we have built and equipped, hundreds of boreholes drilled, and hundreds of kilometres of roads constructed. Every nook and cranny of Gombe State is dotted with our signature projects.
6. One of our most notable achievements in infrastructure development has been the construction of critical roads that previous administrations were afraid to undertake due to difficult terrain and significant costs. Notably, we completed the Degri to Talasse road, which now links the northern and southern parts of Balanga LGA, reducing travel time from traversing through five LGAs to less than an hour. Other major roads include the Mararaban Jaba to Garin Wade Road in Akko LGA, the Malala-Zaune-Dukkuyel road in Dukku LGA, and the Nafada Gari road in Nafada LGA. Only yesterday we commissioned the Gombe Mega Park, a project that has the potential to transform our transportation landscape. All these projects underscore our commitment to building impactful infrastructure that connects our communities, facilitates trade, and unlocks opportunities for the people of Gombe State.
7. In the health sector, we have made substantial strides by building a fully functioning Primary Healthcare Centre in each of our 114 political wards. We also remodelled the specialist hospital in Gombe, renovated two general hospitals in Bajoga and Kaltungo, and currently constructing a brand-new general hospital in Kumo and a 1,000-student capacity School of Nursing in Gombe, with both projects nearing completion. Our commitment to expanding primary healthcare access continues as we plan to add another 114 fully functioning Primary Healthcare Centres (1 per each political ward). These efforts are aimed at providing affordable healthcare at the doorsteps of our people, thereby significantly enhancing the overall health and well-being of our communities.
8. In the education sector, we have made significant progress by upgrading five schools to Mega Schools standard, building 4 special schools and mopping up over 350,000 out-of-school children. Additionally, we are building special Almajiri Tsangaya schools and integrating them with the formal education system. This underscores our commitment to merging traditional and modern education so as to increase literacy rates and ensure that no child is left behind. We firmly believe in the transformative power of education as the best legacy we can leave for the younger generation by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a brighter future.
9. In our efforts to preserve our environment and restore ecological balance, we have made significant investments in projects like NEWMAP and now ACRESAL, in partnership with the World Bank and relevant Federal agencies. These projects, which include the monstrous GSU gully, and the ones at the FCE, Hayin Misau, and GG Doma, are initiatives that previous administrations were unable to undertake due to the substantial financial commitment required. Today, we are taking on these essential projects to protect our communities and their means of livelihood. Gombe, often considered the erosion capital of the North-East, is demonstrating that even if nature places us at an ecological disadvantage, we can take decisive action to improve our situation and safeguard our environment for future generations.
10. Gombe State is steadfastly marching words with action in our commitment to economic development and investment promotion. Ranked 1st in ease of doing business in 2021 and 2022, it is no coincidence that the Federal Government chose Gombe to launch the Outsource To Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) in March this year, featuring a 2,000-seat capacity BPO centre provided by the state government. Similarly, the selection of Gombe by NIPC and UNDP as one of the three states to pilot the Nigeria Investment Certification Program underscores the attention our significant progress is attracting. Investors and institutions are closely watching the giant strides we are making, flocking to Gombe in search of partnerships and opportunities that will create jobs and equip our youth with the skills to seize emerging opportunities. Our efforts are transforming ideas into reality and positioning Gombe as a hub of innovation and development.
11. In the next three years, we will consolidate on our existing achievements in infrastructure by investing in the development of rural and urban transportation networks, expanding and pursuing urban renewal and development with renewed vigour through GOGIS, GOSUPDA and other agencies of government.
12. Our administration will continue to invest in human capital development especially in the education and health sectors. Through our various initiatives, we shall train our youth, and equip them with the skills and expertise to succeed in 21st century economy. We shall also continue to improve on our business-friendly reforms in order to foster a conducive business environment, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth.
13. In the healthcare sector, we will continue to build on our impressive achievements by leveraging on Go-Health and GSPHCDA to strengthen healthcare systems and infrastructure, thereby ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services for all. We will improve the capacity of our healthcare professionals through training and capacity building and partner with relevant stakeholders to implement programs that support the poor and vulnerable amongst us.
14. In the area of water resources, we are undertaking a comprehensive upgrade of the Gombe water supply system to better serve neighbouring communities through the Gombe Regional Water Supply Project. In addition to drilling hundreds of boreholes, we are committed to solving long-standing water supply issues in areas like Dukku through LGA water supply schemes. This underscores our dedication to addressing perennial water shortages in Gombe and other LGAs, recognizing that access to potable water is crucial for health, development, and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
15. We will sustain the principles of people-driven, needs-based, and participatory governance by improving our open government policies, which enabled us to become one of the top seven states in the country in the 2022 Transparency and Integrity Index. We shall ensure efficient use of public resources and foster a culture of inclusivity and meritocracy in governance through the public service reforms we have embarked upon.
16. My dear people of Gombe State, our journey over the past five years has been a testament to the power of unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress. As we look forward to the future, it is imperative that we continue in this journey together. Your ongoing support, active participation, and constructive feedback are crucial to our collective success.
17. I am confident that we have laid a solid foundation, but there is much more to be done. Our ambitious goals can only be achieved if we stand united, each of us contributing in his/her own way to the betterment of our state. Let us harness our shared strength, determination, and vision to overcome any challenges that may come our way.
18. On a final note, I want to thank you all for your continuous support and prayers. I am confident that, together, we will not only meet but exceed our expectations, creating a brighter and more prosperous future the people.
Thank you and God bless you all.
God bless Gombe State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria