Gwamna, ex-KEDCO boss, declares for the Gombe governorship race under APC.

By Umar Ahmad, Gombe

Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, a former Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Gwamna formally submitted his Letter of Intent on Wednesday at both ward and local government levels, in line with the party’s nomination procedures.

Speaking at a brief ceremony at the APC state secretariat in Gombe, the governorship aspirant said his decision was driven by a development agenda he described as a “New Vision for Continuity and sustainability.”.

He said the plan is aimed at consolidating ongoing development efforts while introducing reforms and policies that would ensure long-term economic growth and improved living standards.

“Our focus is to build on what has been achieved and introduce innovative ideas that will guarantee sustainable development and inclusive growth for all,” he said.

Mr Gwamna added that his administration, if elected, would prioritise transparent governance, economic expansion, infrastructure development, and empowerment programmes targeting youths and women.

He also appealed to party members and residents of the state to support his ambition, saying collective commitment would be required to move Gombe forward.

Responding, the APC chairman in Gombe State, Mohammed Dantata Ndus, commended the aspirant for adhering to due process and wished him success in the race.

Mr Ndus, however, stressed the need for unity among party members, urging stakeholders to work together to secure victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Digital Shift in Classrooms: FG, NEDC Train 100 Teachers to Revive Northeast Education

In a renewed push to transform learning outcomes in Nigeria’s conflict-affected Northeast, the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), has equipped over 100 teachers with digital literacy skills to enhance classroom delivery.

The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during an Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme held in Yola, where key stakeholders highlighted the urgency of modernising teaching methods in the region.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr Mariam Masha, said the training focused on teachers handling Science, Technology, Mathematics and Agriculture in senior secondary schools across the six Northeast states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Taraba.

She explained that the programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader reform drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at closing learning gaps and preparing educators with relevant digital competencies.

According to her, the training is designed to help teachers incorporate technology into their teaching processes, making lessons more engaging and aligning education delivery with global standards.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali—represented by the commission’s Adamawa State Coordinator, Khalifa Lawan—said the prolonged insurgency in the region had severely disrupted the education sector, making targeted interventions inevitable.

He noted that limited access to quality education had contributed to deeper socio-economic challenges in the Northeast, stressing that rebuilding the sector was critical to long-term stability and development.

Mr Alkali revealed that the commission had already rehabilitated schools across 112 local government areas, while lamenting that more than half of the region’s teaching workforce was lost during years of conflict.

He added that ongoing efforts were focused on strengthening teacher recruitment, training and retention, especially at the foundational level, to ensure sustainable recovery of the education system.

In his remarks, Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Dr Umar Pella, represented by Permanent Secretary Aisha Umar, praised the intervention, describing continuous teacher development as essential to improving the quality of instruction in schools.

He said enhancing teachers’ skills in key subject areas would ultimately translate into better academic performance among students across the state and the wider region.

On his part, Prof. Augustine Okoronka of Modibbo Adama University described the programme as a strategic investment in the future, noting that education remains central to national growth and development.

He encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, adopt innovative teaching strategies and abandon outdated practices in order to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving digital world.

One of the participants, Kieran Godiya, said the training came at the right time, noting that it introduced modern tools such as artificial intelligence and inclusive teaching methods to better address the needs of learners, especially in challenging environments.

The programme is expected to strengthen education delivery across the Northeast by equipping teachers with practical skills needed to navigate today’s technology-driven classrooms.

Inuwa Yahaya launches Gombe South LCDA, says move will deepen grassroots governance

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Tuesday flagged off the construction of the Gombe South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) secretariat in Bolari, describing the initiative as a major step toward strengthening governance and improving service delivery at the grassroots.

The governor, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony attended by community leaders and party supporters, said the establishment of LCDAs was designed to bring government closer to the people and make public services more accessible.

Mr Yahaya explained that the new administrative structure was backed by legislation to enhance efficiency in local governance, noting that it would help address development gaps in communities across the state.

He expressed optimism that ongoing national efforts to create additional states and local government areas would eventually receive presidential approval, adding that the LCDAs are structured to operate effectively in the interim.

The governor drew parallels with similar reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, describing the initiative as a strategic response to the growing need for inclusive governance and sustainable development.

He also called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united, urging stakeholders to work together in sustaining electoral gains and supporting government policies at all levels.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project Development Agency, Mahmood Yusuf, said the LCDA secretariat project in Bolari would be executed according to approved specifications and completed within the stipulated timeframe.

The Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council, Sani Ahmad Haruna, commended the governor for prioritising grassroots development, saying his administration had continued to translate policies into tangible projects that directly impact citizens.

Mr Haruna pledged the continued support of the people, adding that the governor’s leadership would be remembered for its focus on empowering communities and nurturing responsible leadership.

Also speaking, the Senior District Head of Gombe, Bappah Mohammed, said the creation of the LCDA would strengthen administrative reach and improve service delivery, describing it as a step in the right direction for effective governance at the community level.