Gombe
A tribute to Dr Langa Hassan Bangunji (JP) – an icon of Scholarship, Leadership and Community Service
A tribute to Dr Langa Hassan Bangunji (JP) – an icon of Scholarship, Leadership and Community Service
By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
In every generation, there emerge individuals whose lives transcend ordinary accomplishments and whose dedication leaves enduring footprints in the sands of time. One such remarkable personality is Dr Langa Hassan Bangunji (JP)—a distinguished physicist, seasoned educationist, administrator, and community leader whose life has been devoted to knowledge, service, and the advancement of society.
Born on 10th October 1966 in the Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, Dr Bangunji’s life journey reflects the virtues of discipline, perseverance, and intellectual excellence.
From humble beginnings in Bangunji Primary School (1974–1980), he began a remarkable academic voyage that would later position him among the respected scholars in the field of physics and energy studies in Nigeria.
His secondary education at Government Secondary School Cham and later Government Science Secondary School Gombe (1980–1984) laid the academic foundation for a lifelong passion for science.
Driven by a deep curiosity about the physical world, he proceeded to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, where he obtained his Bachelor of Technology in Applied Physics in 1990.
Dr Bangunji’s quest for knowledge did not end there. He continuously strengthened his academic credentials through further studies and professional development.
His academic journey earned him several qualifications, including a T.T.C. (Science), a PGD in Electrical/Electronics, an M.Tech. in Energy Physics, and ultimately a PhD in Energy Physics in 2015.
These achievements demonstrate his unwavering commitment to scholarship and intellectual growth.
Beyond academic attainment, Dr Bangunji distinguished himself as a passionate educator. His teaching career began shortly after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State, where he served as a physics teacher and form master at Boys Secondary School Unubi.
His dedication to nurturing young minds later brought him to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, where he has served since 1992 and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Lecturer.
Over the decades, he has taught numerous undergraduate courses, including Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Atomic Physics, Thermodynamics, Electronics, and Environmental Physics.
His lectures have shaped generations of students, many of whom have gone on to become teachers, scientists, and professionals across Nigeria.
As a supervisor, he has guided dozens of NCE and undergraduate research projects, mentoring students in areas ranging from physics education to environmental and energy studies.
Dr. Bangunji’s academic impact extends beyond the classroom into the world of research and innovation.
His scholarly works have addressed critical issues such as solar energy utilisation, domestic energy consumption, nuclear energy development, and improved cooking technologies.
Through his publications in reputable journals, he has contributed meaningfully to discussions on sustainable energy solutions and environmental management in Nigeria.
Yet, scholarship alone does not define Dr Bangunji’s legacy. He is equally renowned for his administrative competence and leadership within tertiary education.
At the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, he served in several key positions, including Head of the Department of Physics, Dean of the School of Science, Coordinator of the Degree Programme, Deputy Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, and later Director of the same unit.
His leadership reached a higher pinnacle when he was appointed Provost of the College of Education Billiri (2017–2022).
During his tenure, he provided visionary leadership that strengthened academic programmes, institutional administration, and staff development.
Dr. Bangunji also contributed immensely to public service. Between 1999 and 2003, he served as Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment in Gombe State, where he played an active role in policy formulation and environmental management.
During that period, he also served on national bodies, including the National Council on Water Resources and the National Council on Environment, contributing to national discourse on sustainable water and environmental governance.
His commitment to service is equally evident in community and faith-based activities. Dr Bangunji has held leadership roles in numerous community development initiatives, educational boards, and church organisations.
He has served as Chairman of governing boards of secondary schools, adviser to student fellowships, patron of Christian student ministries, and a trustee of community development associations.
Within traditional institutions, he is a respected member of the Dadiya, Kaltungo, and Tangale Chiefdom Traditional Councils, where his wisdom and experience continue to guide community development and cultural unity.
In professional and academic circles, Dr Bangunji has also served as an external assessor, conference organiser, workshop facilitator, and committee chairman, demonstrating a reputation built on integrity, diligence, and excellence.
Despite his numerous responsibilities and achievements, those close to him describe him as a humble, approachable, and deeply principled man.
His hobbies—reading and playing badminton—reflect a personality that values intellectual curiosity and personal balance.
Above all, Dr. Langa Hassan Bangunji is a devoted family man. He is married and blessed with wonderful children, and his family life mirrors the same values of commitment, faith, and responsibility that define his professional career.
Today, as colleagues, students, friends, and community members reflect on his remarkable journey, one truth stands clear: Dr. Bangunji’s life is a testimony to what can be achieved through dedication to knowledge, service to humanity, and unwavering faith in God.
His legacy lives not only in institutions he has served, policies he helped shape, and research he produced, but also in the countless lives he has inspired.
Indeed, Dr. Langa Hassan Bangunji (JP) stands tall as a shining example of academic excellence, visionary leadership, and selfless service to society.
His story remains a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.
As a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, it is the hope and prayer of many that the mantle of leadership as Executive Governor in the 2027 election will be entrusted to him by the good people of the state.
With the support of the electorate, he aims to build upon the achievements of previous administrations and drive the development of the state through the implementation of his well-articulated 12-Point Agenda for the New Gombe State.
“If You See Something, Say Something”: Inuwa Yahaya Launches Anti-Terror Campaign in Gombe
By Auwal Ahmad
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has urged residents of Gombe State to take an active role in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality, saying security is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of every citizen.
The governor appealed Monday during a statewide broadcast to launch the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, a public awareness initiative aimed at strengthening community vigilance and supporting ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
Gov Yahaya described insecurity as the greatest obstacle to sustainable development in Northern Nigeria, stressing that peace and economic progress are inseparable.
“Without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace,” the governor said.
He commended members of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would never be forgotten.
The governor said Gombe’s relative peace, despite being located in Nigeria’s insurgency-prone northeast, was the result of deliberate investments in security and sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies, and local communities.
He highlighted several initiatives introduced by his administration since 2019, including the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs, the creation of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), and Operation Hattara, a joint security outfit established to improve operational coordination.
According to him, the state government has also equipped security agencies with operational vehicles and logistics, strengthened local vigilante groups, and established peace committees to prevent communal and farmer-herder conflicts.
Alh. Yahaya noted that the two security summits organised by his administration produced recommendations that improved intelligence gathering, enhanced emergency responses, and reinforced community participation in maintaining peace.
As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, the governor said he had championed regional cooperation to address insecurity, including efforts to establish the Northern States Security Trust Fund.
“No state can tackle insecurity alone because criminals do not recognise state boundaries. We must continue to share intelligence and coordinate our responses,” he said.
The governor praised traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and women’s groups for supporting peacebuilding efforts across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
“If you see something, say something. Timely and credible information remains one of the most effective tools in preventing crime and protecting lives and property,” he said.
Gov. Yahaya also urged security agencies to adopt modern technologies, intelligence-driven operations, and community-based policing while respecting human rights.
The governor called for unity across ethnic, religious, and political divides. He warned that terrorist groups and criminal organisations often exploit social divisions to advance their activities.
He expressed support for the federal government’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged Gombe residents to cooperate fully with security agencies.
He concluded by calling on citizens to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, saying lasting peace can only be achieved through collective vigilance, unity and public participation.
“We must stand together against terrorism and every form of criminality to protect our communities and preserve the peace we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.
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APC Confident of Victory in Gombe LGAs’ Polls
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record a sweeping victory in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for June 28, 2026, as the party formally presented flags to its chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the state.
Speaking during the flag presentation ceremony in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the APC remained the dominant political force in the state and was determined to sustain its electoral successes at all levels.
According to him, the party’s growing influence is reflected in its representation across elective positions, noting that APC currently occupies all 24 seats allocated to the state in the House of Representatives.
“We are determined to repeat our electoral successes and retain all elective positions under the APC platform. Our strength lies in our unity, commitment and the confidence the people have in our leadership,” the governor said.
He stressed that the party’s objective was to maintain control of all local government councils and legislative seats, urging party members to remain focused and united ahead of the polls.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the role of the state’s 11 local government areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in deepening grassroots governance, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards bringing government closer to the people.
He also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting critical infrastructure projects in the state, particularly the ongoing superhighway project aimed at improving connectivity across the North-East.
The governor noted that the project, recently inspected by Minister of Works David Umahi, would boost trade, create economic opportunities and improve the welfare of citizens across the region.
“We appreciate President Tinubu’s commitment to the development of Gombe State and the North-East. These projects are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which continues to inspire confidence among Nigerians,” he stated.
Yahaya further reaffirmed his support for the administration’s development agenda, saying its policies were already yielding visible results across various sectors.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, lauded Governor Yahaya for what he described as remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education and social development.
The APC chairman said his visit to various parts of Gombe State gave him the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of government projects on residents.
“I visited communities, institutions, universities, road projects and cultural centres. What I saw was democracy working for the people. The projects are touching lives and improving livelihoods across the state,” he said.
Professor Nentawe noted that market women, traders, farmers and other residents expressed confidence in the APC government, attributing the party’s popularity to its focus on development and service delivery.
He also praised President Tinubu for ongoing and planned federal infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria, including major road corridors linking Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Maiduguri.
According to him, the projects would strengthen regional integration, facilitate commerce and significantly reduce travel time across the region.
The APC National Chairman further highlighted plans for a railway network connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri through key northern cities, as well as gas infrastructure projects designed to stimulate industrial growth and improve energy access.
He urged Governor Yahaya and APC stakeholders to continue mobilising support for the party while remaining committed to delivering democratic dividends to the people.
Professor Nentawe also celebrated the APC’s recent electoral victories, insisting that the party’s strength derives from its close connection with ordinary Nigerians.
“APC remains firmly rooted among the people. Our success is based on good governance, development and our commitment to improving the lives of citizens,” he said.
The flag presentation ceremony attracted party leaders, elected officials, traditional rulers and supporters from across the state, as APC intensified preparations for the June 28 local government elections.
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