Pioneer Military Administrator Orji Rates Governor’s Leadership Excellent
…UN Deputy Secretary-General, Visiting Deputy Governors Join Historic Anniversary Celebration
By Abdulwahab Muhammad
Published by Alphapressmedia
GOMBE, October 28, 2026 — Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has unveiled an account of his administration’s achievements, including over ₦44 billion in gratuity payments, more than 1,000 kilometres of roads constructed or rehabilitated, and significant investments in education, healthcare and industrialisation, as the state celebrated three decades of its creation.
The Governor presented the achievements on Wednesday during an International Conference and Symposium organised to commemorate Gombe State’s 30th anniversary at the International Conference Centre, Gombe.
The historic gathering, themed “Reflecting on Our History, Consolidating Progress, and Charting the Future,” brought together former leaders, visiting government representatives, traditional rulers, academics, development partners and other distinguished personalities to assess the state’s journey since its creation on October 1, 1996.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate the sacrifices of the founding fathers, recognise the contributions of successive administrations and establish a sustainable development direction for future generations.
He paid tribute to the personalities whose struggle led to the creation of Gombe State under the administration of the late General Sani Abacha.
The Governor also acknowledged the contributions of former leaders, including the pioneer Military Administrator, Group Captain Joseph I. Orji; the late Colonel Mohammed Inuwa Bawa; the late Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu; Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje; and Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
According to him, Gombe’s transformation over the past three decades represents the collective efforts of successive administrations and the resilience of its people.
“Leadership in a young state like ours is a relay, not a sprint. Each generation receives the baton from those who came before it, carries it as far as circumstances and resources permit, and passes it on with the expectation that those who follow will advance the journey,” the Governor declared.
Education: 350,000 Children Reintegrated into Schools
Highlighting achievements recorded since assuming office in 2019, Governor Inuwa Yahaya disclosed that his administration had constructed or renovated over 2,000 classrooms across more than 400 schools.
He further stated that approximately 350,000 out-of-school children had been brought into the formal education system, while integrated Almajiri and Tsangaya schools had been established across the state’s eleven local government areas.
The Governor explained that these interventions were part of the administration’s broader strategy to expand access to education, improve learning environments and strengthen human capital development.
Healthcare: 228 PHCs, 400,000 Health Insurance Beneficiaries
In the healthcare sector, the Governor reported the construction and renovation of 228 Primary Healthcare Centres across Gombe State’s 114 wards.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kumo and the expansion of the Gombe State Health Insurance Scheme, popularly known as GoHealth, which he said now covers over 400,000 beneficiaries.
According to the Governor, the interventions are designed to strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce barriers to medical services and improve health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Infrastructure and Industrialisation Take Centre Stage
Governor Inuwa Yahaya identified infrastructure development and economic diversification as major pillars of his administration’s development agenda.
He disclosed that over 1,000 kilometres of roads had been constructed or rehabilitated, improving connectivity between urban centres, rural communities and agricultural production areas.
He also highlighted the development of the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park and the ongoing Renewed Hope Agro-Industrial Hub as strategic investments intended to stimulate industrial activities, attract investors and create employment opportunities.
The Governor further cited investments in electricity, water supply and housing as part of the state’s expanding infrastructure portfolio.
He explained that the projects were being implemented within the framework of the state’s 10-Year Development Agenda, known as DEVAGOM, which provides a long-term roadmap for sustainable development.
Workers’ Welfare: ₦44 Billion Gratuities, ₦70,000 Minimum Wage
On public service reforms and workers’ welfare, Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced that his administration had paid over ₦44 billion in gratuities to retirees.
He also highlighted the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage and the creation of thirteen Local Council Development Areas to strengthen grassroots administration.
The Governor maintained that institutional reforms, workers’ welfare and effective public administration remained essential to sustaining development across the state.
Pioneer Administrator Orji Commends Gombe’s Transformation
One of the major highlights of the celebration was the assessment of Gombe’s development by its pioneer Military Administrator, Group Captain Joseph Orji (Rtd).
Orji expressed satisfaction with the state’s transformation since its creation thirty years ago, particularly the expansion of infrastructure and socioeconomic opportunities.
He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for what he described as purposeful leadership and commitment to advancing the vision of Gombe’s founding fathers.
In his assessment, the former Military Administrator rated the Governor’s leadership “Excellent,” citing the administration’s developmental strides.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Visiting Deputy Governors Celebrate Gombe
The anniversary also attracted goodwill messages from national and international personalities.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed, joined the celebration through a recorded video message, congratulating the government and people of Gombe State on thirty years of statehood.
Speaking on behalf of visiting deputy governors from Bauchi, Plateau and Yobe states, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, conveyed congratulations and goodwill to the government and people of Gombe.
Their participation underscored the significance of the anniversary as an occasion for reflection on governance, development and cooperation.
Scholars Examine Gombe’s Past and Future
The symposium featured presentations by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali and Professor James Saliba.
The speakers examined the state’s historical evolution, governance experiences, developmental achievements and prospects for the future.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, described Gombe’s thirty-year journey as a story of collective sacrifice and progressive leadership.
He acknowledged the contributions of successive administrations while expressing the view that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had surpassed his predecessors in the delivery of development projects.
Historic Book Unveiled to Preserve Gombe’s Legacy
Another major highlight of the anniversary was the unveiling of a commemorative publication titled “Gombe State: Thirty Years of Promise and Progress, 1996–2026.”
The publication documents the state’s historical journey, leadership experiences and development achievements since its creation.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the book as an important historical resource for researchers, policymakers, scholars and future generations.
The commemorative publication was reviewed by Professor Sani Abba Aliyu of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
2027: Governor Calls for Peace, Unity and Development Continuity
Looking beyond the anniversary, Governor Inuwa Yahaya urged political leaders and citizens to place the collective interests of Gombe State above personal ambition and partisan considerations as the 2027 democratic transition approaches.
He emphasised that sustaining the gains of the past thirty years would require unity, strong institutions, responsible leadership and continued investment in human and economic development.
“The future of Gombe State must always be greater than the ambitions of any individual or political party,” he declared.
As Gombe marks three decades of statehood, the anniversary has provided an opportunity not only to celebrate its historical achievements but also to examine the challenges and opportunities that will shape the next thirty years.
For the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the central message of the celebration is that the progress recorded since 1996 must serve as a foundation for building a more prosperous, inclusive and economically competitive Gombe State.
Published by Alphapressmedia
Abdulwahab Muhammad
