Gombe Breaks Barriers, As Governor Inuwa Signs Disability Protection Bill into Law

…Appoints PWDs Leader, Dr. Adamu as Disability Commission Executive Secretary

By: Ismaila Uba

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has signed into law, the Gombe State Disability Protection Bill 2024, which paves the way for the establishment of the Gombe State Disability Commission.

The landmark law establishes a framework for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities, ensuring social justice, protecting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state, as well as ensuring accessibility, and participation in the society like every other human being.

During the signing ceremony of the bill which held at the Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, announced the appointment of Dr. Ishiyaku Adamu, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Gombe state chapter, as the Executive Secretary of the Disability Commission.

“The establishment of the Disability Commission will serve as a platform to address the needs and aspirations of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities”, the Governor said.

He remarked that since coming onboard, he has been supporting the growth of the PWDs community, saying he previously appointed Special Adviser and Special Assistants to coordinate the activities of the PWDs and serve as liaison between them and the government.

The Governor used the occasion to inform the Disability community of his recent directives for the renovation and remodeling of the only Special School in the state, adding that his administration will build two additional Special Schools so each senatorial district can have one.

He commended members of the Gombe State House of Assembly for their commiment in passing the bill and acknowledged the contributions of advocacy groups and stakeholders who championed the cause.

Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, noted that the House had meticulously scrutinized every aspect of the bill to ensure its passage aligned with the aspirations of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) community.

Responding on behalf of the disability community, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Disability Commission, Dr. Ishiyaku Adamu, expressed gratitude to the governor for fulfilling a promise he made to the PWDs during the electioneering campaign in 2019.

“Today, you’ve set a record. I remember when we met with you during the electioneering campaign you made a promise that this bill would become a reality. And here it is today, we have witnessed this historic moment of signing it into law”, he stated.

“This commission will among others, promote education, healthcare and the well-being of persons with disabilities. Fifteen years ago, we took the same bill to the State House of Assembly, and it was rejected. Today, it has been passed and assented to. We will never forget this history. We thank the Governor, the State House of Assembly and other relevant stakeholders for making this possible”, Dr. Adamu added.

He informed the Governor that by signing the bill into law, Gombe has become the second state in the Northeast geo-political region to achieve this, assuring that he would work to ensure World Bank and other development partners support the commission in its activities.

The new Executive Secretary of the Disability Commission,
Dr. Adamu is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Gombe State University.

Gombe Breaks Barriers, As Governor Inuwa Signs Disability Protection Bill into Law

Chairman Potiskum LG commended on providing a water point to herders

By: Yahaya Wakili

The executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area of Yobe state, Hon. Salisu Muktari, has been commended for providing herders of the Potiskum local government area with a water point.

The commendation was made by the National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, when he and his entourage paid him a courtesy call in his office, in continuation of the association’s community-to-community peace sensitization campaign in the state.

In addition to his previous excellent performances with regards to providing his pastoralists with water points. The executive chairman also promised to provide more water points for Potiskum local government herders in the 2025 fiscal year.

The national president called on the pastoralists in the Potiskum local government area and its environs to continue to live in peace with one another by avoiding the destruction of anybody’s farmlands.

According to Khalil Bello, the sensitization is part of the proactive measures taken by the association to prevent herder and farmer conflicts in the state and the nation in general.

The national president reinstated the need for harders not to destroy farmlands during the ongoing harvesting period and noted that pastoralists and farmers are partners in progress.

Khalil Mohammed Bello acknowledges the government’s commitment under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, towards ending the premium crises between farmers and cattle rearers in the state.

He appreciates the warm reception and the hospitality accorded to him and members of his entourage by the executive chairman of the council, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the people of the Potiskum local government area.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government area, Hon. Salisu Muktari, assured the readiness of the local government council towards supporting the association to achieve its desired objectives.

The chairman pledged to construct more water points for pastoralists in the area and call on the leadership of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) to identify the point where the water facilities will be constructed.

Chairman Potiskum LG commended on providing a water point to herders

Governor Buni vows to complete all projects in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe state has vowed that the government would hasten the completion of all ongoing projects, initiate new ones, and ensure the timely completion of all, in fulfillment of our campaign promises.

The governor disclosed this today while signing the finance and appropriation bills into law at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Damaturu.

He assured the people of the state that this administration is committed to judicious use and investment of our resources in people-oriented programs and projects, especially education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, infrastructural development, wealth creation, and empowerment to stimulate economic growth.

“We have identified and mapped out some rich agricultural, livestock, and other natural potentials for international investment to generate employment opportunities and wealth creation, he said.

The governor drew the attention of supervising engineers attached to government projects, adding that your attachment to these projects is to protect government interests.

He revealed that the state government is implementing the #70,000 minimum wage salary structure; this means there is an increase in the wage bill and a decrease in our balance. In addition, the government employed 15 graduates from each of the 178 political wards, totaling 2,670, and provided cash support to flood victims and small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs to stimulate economic growth online with our policy of employment generation.

“This administration has instituted a strong policy of accountability and transparency in governance. Yobe state was scored as the best-performing state in transparency and accountability in Nigeria to clinch the prestigious World Bank-assisted State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SIFTAS) award.

For the newly sworn-in Board Chairmen, the governor said you are appointed based on merit. You should, therefore, bring your wealth of experience to bear to add value in your respective organizations and the government of Yobe State in general.

The 500 beneficiaries who were trained in the production of soaps, detergents, charcoal, shoes, and disinfectants mark a significant milestone in our administration’s commitments to our recovery program by rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening economic resilience, and fostering stability for a brighter future for these communities.

He maintained that the participants equipped with skills to promote self-reliance and local entrepreneurship, and each beneficiary will receive a cash grant of #100,000 and a start-up kit to launch their business for sustainable income generation. This program empowers women and youth, who constitute 70% of beneficiaries, respectively.

Governor Buni urges the beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity and to inspire others with your success.

Governor Buni vows to complete all projects in Yobe