Gombe Govt restates commitment to MSMEs growth

The Gombe State Government, on Friday engaged stakeholders in the finance sector towards easing access to credit and ensuring the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

Malam Muhammad Magaji, the state’s Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development stated this in Gombe while declaring open the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, themed: “Guide to Access Credit”.

Magaji said that the meeting was aimed at creating an environment conducive for business growth by removing the bottlenecks around accessing finance.

He said that the administration of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has prioritised the development of businesses and industries to drive economic prosperity for the state, create jobs and improve the wellbeing of residents.

Magaji who was represented by Mr Jalo Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said that the state is now more deliberate in supporting small business owners to grow.

According to him, Yahaya-led administration’s commitment to MSMEs growth is to ensure inclusive growth of the economy in view of the role of such small businesses to economic transformation.

“We are engaging the financial institutions and relevant stakeholders to see how we can remove the barriers affecting access to credit to SMEs in the state.

“This is part of the current administration’s commitment to strengthening access to loan facilities that would give life to small businesses and help more youths start up businesses.

“We are very committed as a government to see to it that we provide all the needed supports to make doing business in Gombe State easy.

“Government will inject more money into the system to serve as collateral for business owners and also serve as guarantor to those who are willing to access finance,” he said.

On his part, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, and Tourism,
Gombe State restated the state government’s commitment to industrialising the state and attracting investors.

Aliyu said that Yahaya’s administration had invested a lot to boost industrial growth and turn the state into the industrial and evonomic hub of North East.

Mr Kabiru Tsoho, the SABER focal person for Gombe State said that the SABER Programme is a World-Bank project aimed at easing businesses towards accelerating the growth of the economic sector.

Tsoho said the engagement would help remove impediments to accessing finance and encouraging business growth.

“This will help improve business environment and encourage investment which would provide more opportunities for jobs to be created and for economic empowerment of women and youths,” he said.

Mr Sanusi Abdullahi, Chairman, Traders Association of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter commended the initiative by the state government and World Bank to make doing business easy.

Abdullahi said with improved access to loans, there would be more youth employment and improvement in the standard of living of residents of the state.

Gombe Govt restates commitment to MSMEs growth

Council elections take place in Borno as Zulum votes at at his country home

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor Babagana Zulum has voted in today’s council election which took place in the 27 council areas of the state.

The Governor who voted at Ajari two polling unit 006 in Mafa central Ward, headquarters of Mafa council area cast his vote at about 12.23pm this afternoon.

Professor Zulum, cast his vote at this years Council election held across the 27 Local Government Areas and 312 political wards in Borno State today Saturday.

The election was contested by six political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

Speaking after casting his vote, Governor Zulum expressed satisfaction with the turnout in the council election which should produce new chairmen before the next general election in 2027.

“You have seen the turnout, you know this is my hometown. So, my general assessment of the process is good. It is expected that the 2027 election will also be well.

“This is a litmus test, and Insha Allah, in 2027, APC will win from the President down to each member of the state Assembly. Borno is the home of APC, more so, I am a son of this town,” Zulum stated.

Meanwhile Senator representing Borno Central senatorial district, Kaka Shehu described the Borno State local council election as credible.

He described the election as transparently clean and rancour-free adding that: “I must commend the State Independent Electoral Commission for conducting a well-organized election, and the security agencies for enduring security, peace and order at all the polling units and across my senatorial district,”

Senator Lawal, while assessing the conduct of the poll after casting his vote at his Lawan Asheik Alhaji Sadiq polling unit, Shehuri South Ward, Maiduguri metropolis told newsmen that he was impressed with the conduct of the election.

“I’m also impressed with the voter turnout, in spite of the hard times, which shows that the electorate are committed to genuine democratic governance in Borno State and Nigeria adding that “for me, the election is credible.”

Reps member, Abdulkadir Rahis, who voted at his Wakil Hassan polling unit, Gwange one ward, Maiduguri metropolis, told newsmen that he was impressed about the rancour-freeness of the election coupled with the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere which prevailed across his constituency.

Both NASS members expressed confidence that the pending 2027 general elections would also credible and rancour-free.

Also speaking to newsmen, the Deputy National Chairman (DNC) North of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Ali Dalori expressed satisfaction with the impressive voter turnout witnessed during the elections.

He described the exercise as a clear sign of public trust in the democratic process, rule of law and grassroot inclusivity.

The APC Chieftain commended the orderly conduct of voters across the state and praised their commitment to peaceful participation.

He told reporters soon after he casted his vote at the Dalori/Wanori Primary School, Kajeri polling unit in Konduga council area of the state that he was excited at the defiance of people across the state against existing security threats by insurgents.

Dalori said that, although his office in Abuja was preoccupied with a lot of schedule duties, but as a grassroot politician, he had to move to the state, to exercise his franchise at his polling unit by electing credible leaders who would continue to complement efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum in providing dividends of democracy to the local communities.

His words: ” Let me use this medium to express satisfaction with the impressive voter turnout witnessed during the Borno State local government elections. It is a clear sign of public trust in the democratic process, rule of law and grassroots inclusivity.

“In my polling unit, the massive participation reflects citizens’ growing confidence in democratic governance. I wish all contestants success.

” I commend Members of the State Electoral Body, security agencies and other stakeholders for their unwavering commitment which led to the orderly conduct of voters across the state.

He however expressed optimism that his party, the APC will come out victorious in all elective positions such as the Chairmanship and Councillorship across the 27 local government areas, considering the numerous people- oriented projects executed by the present administration.

This reporter recalls that, the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pulled out from the exercise claiming that their efforts were fruitless as the state is already a one party state.

Council elections take place in Borno as Zulum votes at at his country home

Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe

The Gombe State government in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has inaugurated the National Immunisation Plus Days campaign in the state.

The integrated campaign is targeting 1, 046, 553 beneficiaries, comprising 832, 427 children for vaccination against polio and 214,126 pregnant women to be provided multiple micronutrient supplements.

Mr Manassah Jatau, the state’s Deputy Governor while inaugurating the campaign on Friday in Swa community in Balanga LGA of Gombe State said the event also marked the launch of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW).

Jatau who was represented by Dr Ahmed Kashere, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Gombe State Primary HealthCare Development Agency described the campaign as crucial towards protecting the health of children and expectant mothers.

He said that the integrated campaign would ensure that children were protected from diseases that threaten their lives.

“This campaign targets 832,427 eligible children and pregnant mothers across 11 LGAs, focusing on polio vaccination for children under five.

“It will ensure vitamin A supplementation for 770,852 children aged 6-59 months, to boost their immune system and prevent night blindness

“Deworming for children aged 12-59 months, to improve their nutritional status and reduce the burden of worm infestation would also be part of the campaign.

“During the exercise, malnutrition screening for children aged 6-59 months, to identify and manage malnutrition early would be carried out.

“Multiple micronutrient supplements would be provided for 214,126 pregnant women, to ensure they have the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy,” he said.

According to him, Sulphadoxine pyrimethamine will be provided for pregnant women, to prevent malaria and its complications.

Jatau stated that the campaign would also feature health education on key household practices, to empower communities across the state with knowledge on healthy living.

He urged all stakeholders, community members, and well-meaning individuals to support the campaign, towards protecting children, pregnant women, while promoting healthy practices in communities.

The deputy governor commended development partners for their continued support and commitment to improving health outcomes in the state while also appreciating community leaders and health workers for their contributions.

Mr Haruna Gambo, the Zonal Technical Officer, National Primary HealthCare Development Agency restated the commitment of the Federal Government to the wellbeing of children and mothers across the state and country.

Gambo said that the collaborative approach through the integrated campaign would strengthen the immunisation system towards improving the health of communities.

In her remarks, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief UNICEF Bauchi Field Office said that the earlier campaign in the year recorded remarkable success, reaching thousands of children.

Rafique said that the success of the earlier campaign demonstrated what is possible when governments, communities, health workers, and partners unite behind a common goal.

She stated that immunisation remained one of the most powerful tools to protecting children from life-threatening, yet entirely preventable, diseases.

“In Gombe State, the immunisation campaign is being integrated with the MNCHW to ensure that more children and mothers are reached with essential health services.

“As part of our support, UNICEF has provided over 20,000 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

“We have also provided over 700,000 doses of Vitamin A to boost the immunity of children and keep them healthy,” she said.

While thanking all donors and governments at all levels, Rafique called on parents, caregivers, community leaders, and partners across all sectors to “help ensure that no child is missed.”

Mothers who came out en masse with their children told our Correspondent that they were appreciative of the government and development partners’ efforts at offering them free vaccines and supplements.

According to them, mothers and their children in their community no longer fall ill as they used to since they embraced health initiatives from the government and donor partners.

Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe