Gombe Governor Leads Northern Leaders at 11th Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture
…As Vows to Unlock Region’s Untapped Potential
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reaffirmed the commitment of Northern Governors to addressing the region’s pressing challenges and leveraging its abundant resources for sustainable development.
Chairing the 11th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Monday at the Banquet Hall of the Bauchi State Government House, Governor Yahaya emphasised the need for strategic collaboration in tackling issues such as inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, and poverty.
This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to Newmen by the Director General Press Affairs, Gombe State Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli in Gombe on Monday.
“Northern Nigeria is a treasure trove of untapped resources. If properly harnessed, we can address our challenges and drive sustainable development,” he stated.
He highlighted the diverse security concerns across the region—banditry in the Northwest, ethno-religious conflicts in the North-Central, and insurgency in the Northeast—stressing the need for tailored solutions to restore peace and economic stability.
As Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Governor Yahaya pledged to champion a development blueprint for every state, aligning with his own 10-year DEVAGOM Plan in Gombe, which integrates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a major economic move, he announced the revival and transformation of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) into a profit-driven entity, with Northern Governors set to inject significant funds to foster regional economic growth.
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, praised Yahaya’s leadership, urging unity among Northern states to overcome socio-economic hurdles.
Delivering the keynote address, former Minister of Finance, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, underscored the need to harness the North’s vast natural and human resources, emphasising modern agricultural practices, education, and women’s empowerment as key to economic transformation.
Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, pledged continued efforts to uphold the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, advocating for regional unity and prosperity.
The event featured the presentation of scholarship checks to students from the Northeast and the unveiling of a portrait of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, celebrating his enduring impact on Northern Nigeria’s progress.
