Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has emphasized the need for precautionary approach in safeguarding the integrity of interventionist organizations in Nigeria to address agitations threatening national unity.
He made these remarks while receiving the Board and Management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), led by the Chairman, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd) at the Government House.
He stressed the importance of unity in Nigeria, highlighting that the country has come of age at 63 years after independence and needs to work together to uplift social and economic well-being.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya pointed out the devastating effects of religious extremism on Nigeria and the need for tolerance and respect among its citizens.
He said Nigeria has no reason to be in such an unfortunate situation because the spirit and content of the Nigerian constitution provides for Nigerians to be their brothers keepers where tolerance, respect for one one another are maintained and sustained.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that the world is dynamic and shrouded in social, economic and political downturns with attendant consequences. hence the need for Nigerians who are bounded in one destiny to unite and forge a common front for the benefit of all.
He mentioned that despite achieving independence in 1960, Nigeria still faces issues that threaten national unity, contrasting this with Rwanda’s post-civil war recovery and progress.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya praised the NEDC for its efforts in implementing social and economic programmes to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in the North East region.
He also congratulated the new board and Management of the NEDC, encouraging them to fully implement the commission’s master plan for the benefit of the entire region.
The Governor assured the NEDC of Gombe State’s continued partnership to attract more interventions to the state.
” I am happy that you are here in Gombe State to assess some of the projects and programmes the NEDC is implementing. You have done so much in the state and the North East sub-region at large, but like ‘Oliver Twist’ we’ll not be tired of asking you to do more, especially in view of the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and other global economic challenges “.
” Like other places, here in Gombe we have our priorities. Therefore there’s need for synergy between us and the commission in order to achieve the desired goals “.
Major General Paul Tarfa, the NEDC Chairman, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his support, which contributed to the commission’s achievements in the state.
He also acknowledged the “Gombe Goes Green” initiative, which he noted has made the state a model for environmental sustainability in the face of climate change and global warming.
