By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has reiterated his commitment to accelerating the state’s development drive, expanding economic opportunities and consolidating investments in critical sectors as Gombe marks 30 years of statehood alongside Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya made the commitment in a special anniversary message to mark October 1, 2026, saying the twin celebrations provide an opportunity to take stock of transformation of Gombe over the past three decades while setting a clear course for the state’s next phase of growth and development.
He said Gombe had, since its creation on October 1, 1996, evolved from a new state into an increasingly important economic and administrative hub in the North-East, supported by strategic planning, investments in critical infrastructure and reforms aimed at creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development.
The Governor linked the state’s development trajectory to the Gombe State 10-Year Development Plan, DEVAGOM, which provides a long-term framework for sustainable and inclusive growth.
According to him, the plan, developed through extensive stakeholder consultations, guides government interventions and investments across critical sectors, with emphasis on human capital development, infrastructure, economic growth, environmental sustainability and improved quality of life.
Within the framework of the Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM), Governor Inuwa said his administration had pursued broad-based interventions across education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, industrialization, environmental restoration, public-sector reforms, ease of doing business, and youth and women empowerment.
He said the programmes had translated into measurable progress in critical sectors, with particular emphasis on expanding access to essential services, improving public infrastructure, stimulating economic activity and strengthening the foundations for sustainable development.
In education, the administration has focused on improving both infrastructure and human capital through the construction, renovation and upgrading of schools, alongside the recruitment of qualified teachers to address manpower shortages and strengthen teaching and learning across the state.
The health sector has witnessed extensive investments, including the revitalization of 228 Primary Healthcare Centres, upgrading of General Hospitals and improvements in specialist healthcare services. The government has also recruited health professionals, enhanced their salary structure, and expanded health insurance coverage to bring more residents within the reach of affordable healthcare.
In road infrastructure, the state has recorded the construction and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 kilometres of roads under the Network 11-100 programme and other interventions. The projects have improved connectivity between communities, opened up rural areas and facilitated the movement of agricultural produce, people and goods.
The development of the Three-Arms Zone and other urban infrastructure has equally contributed to the transformation of the state capital.
For industrialization and investment promotion, the administration has advanced the development of the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, conceived as a major hub for industries and private-sector investment. This has been complemented by efforts to improve the ease of doing business, attract investors and create an enabling environment for enterprise and job creation.
In agriculture and livestock, attention has been directed towards expanding productive capacity through the Agro-Livestock Development Zone, with interventions aimed at supporting farmers and livestock producers, promoting value addition and strengthening the sector’s contribution to economic diversification and food security.
On environmental restoration, the government has intensified measures to address gully erosion and land degradation through targeted erosion-control and ecological restoration projects. The Gombe Goes Green (3G) has also supported tree planting and environmental regeneration as part of the state’s response to desertification and climate-related challenges.
Under public-sector reforms and workers’ welfare, the administration has maintained the prompt payment of salaries while at the same time addressing inherited liabilities. A major milestone, Governor Inuwa noted, was the clearance of the inherited backlog of outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants, alongside measures to strengthen the efficiency and morale of the public service.
The administration has equally implemented youth and women empowerment programmes focused on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture and access to economic opportunities, with the objective of expanding participation in productive activities and reducing barriers to self-reliance.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said all these are in line with his administration’s determination to translate the DEVAGOM blueprint into tangible outcomes, while consolidating existing gains and accelerating development across the state.
“As we celebrate these milestones, we remain conscious that the journey ahead demands even greater commitment. We therefore reaffirm our resolve to build on the gains of the past three decades, strengthen peace and unity, promote inclusive growth, expand opportunities for our people, and position Gombe for sustainable development,” he said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who is also Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the nation’s journey since independence as one marked by resilience, diversity, challenges and progress.
He called on Nigerians to remain committed to unity, peace, justice and democratic development, stressing that the country’s diversity remains a source of strength.
“Despite the challenges along our journey, our faith in Nigeria remains strong. We must continue to strengthen our unity, deepen our democracy, promote peace and justice, and work together to build a nation worthy of the sacrifices and aspirations of those who came before us,” he said.
The Governor urged the people of Gombe State and Nigerians at home and abroad to use the twin anniversaries to renew their commitment to nation-building and collective progress.
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