By Auwal Ahmad Umar 

Islamic Tsangaya teachers across Gombe State have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, ahead of the 2027 election, pledging to mobilise at least 150,000 votes for him.

The teachers said Dr Gwamna’s election would provide an opportunity to sustain and strengthen the reforms introduced by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in Islamic education, particularly the establishment of the AlmaJiri Commission and modern Tsangaya schools across the state.

The endorsement was made at a gathering of Tsangaya teachers and Islamic scholars representing the 240 wards of Gombe State at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.

The conference was organised to appreciate the state government’s interventions in Tsangaya education and to discuss how the reforms could be sustained beyond the 2027 administration.

The participants commended the government for introducing modern Tsangaya schools designed to combine Qur’anic and Islamic education with Western education, literacy, numeracy, vocational training and life skills.

They said the initiative had provided children enrolled in the traditional Qur’anic education system with opportunities to acquire additional skills that could improve their participation in modern society.

Following goodwill messages and Qur’anic recitations, the teachers formally declared their support for Dr Gwamna, describing his candidacy as an avenue to consolidate what they described as gains recorded in Islamic education under Governor Yahaya.

Representing the governor at the event, the Chief of Staff, Abubakar Kari, said the administration’s succession plan was centred on continuity, responsive governance and the sustainability of development programmes.

Alh. Kari urged stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preserving programmes that had delivered benefits to residents, particularly in education and human capital development.

The Tsangaya teachers said they expected Dr Gwamna, if elected, to continue and expand the modern Tsangaya programme, while strengthening efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children.

They said combining Islamic learning with formal education and practical skills could help create better opportunities for children and young people within the traditional Qur’anic education system.

The Tsangaya community subsequently pledged to mobilise at least 150,000 votes for the APC candidate in the 2027 governorship election.

They said their support was driven by the need to ensure continuity of the reforms and expand access to education, skills acquisition and other opportunities for children across Gombe State.

Inuwa Yahaya Celebrates APC Chairman Yilwatda at 58, Hails Leadership

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on his 58th birthday.

The governor described Prof Yilwatda’s birthday as an opportunity to celebrate his contributions to the APC and his service to Nigeria.

The congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe.

Alh. Inuwa Yahaya, who congratulated the APC chairman on behalf of the government and people of Gombe State and the party’s members in the state, praised Prof Yilwatda for what he described as purposeful leadership since assuming the national chairmanship of the party.

He said the APC chairman had brought political maturity, inclusiveness, discipline and innovation to the management of the party.

The governor also commended Prof. Yilwatda for drawing on his background in academia, public administration and technology to strengthen the party’s structures and improve its institutional capacity.

According to him, the APC under Prof Yilwatda’s leadership has demonstrated its determination to build a cohesive and forward-looking political organisation capable of providing effective leadership for Nigeria.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Gombe State, as well as the APC family in the state, I heartily felicitate with our amiable National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on the joyous occasion of his 58th birthday,” the governor said.

He added, “This milestone is a fitting moment to celebrate a life defined by service, excellence and commitment to the growth of our great party and the progress of our dear nation.”

The governor said Prof Yilwatda had, within a relatively short period as national chairman, demonstrated the capacity to lead the party through inclusive engagement and institutional reforms.

“Your unique blend of academic excellence, bureaucratic experience and technological expertise has continued to enrich our party and position it for greater accomplishments,” he said.

Alh Inuwa Yahaya expressed confidence that the APC would continue to strengthen its internal cohesion, expand its national reach and consolidate its political position under Prof Yilwatda’s leadership.

He assured the national chairman of the continued support and solidarity of the APC family in Gombe State.

The governor wished Prof Yilwatda many more years of service to the party and the country, while praying for his good health, wisdom, strength and divine guidance in the discharge of his responsibilities.

He also prayed that the APC chairman would continue to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s democracy and the progress of the nation.

Inuwa, Army  Vow to Sustain Gombe’s Peace Through Stronger Partnership

By Auwal Ahmad

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, Major General WM Dangana, on Wednesday pledged to deepen collaboration between the state government and the military to preserve the state’s relative peace and strengthen security across the region.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by Major General Dangana to the Government House in Gombe as part of his familiarisation tour following his recent appointment.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Yahaya said peace and security remained the foundation for development, stressing that his administration would continue working closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

The governor said stronger collaboration among security agencies had become increasingly important as political activities gather momentum across the country.

“We must continue to work together and deepen our synergy in our collective responsibility of providing robust security for our people. Everything revolves around peace and security. Despite the increasing political activities, Gombe State will remain the peaceful state it has always been,” Mr Yahaya said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the military and other security agencies through the provision of operational logistics to improve their effectiveness and boost the morale of personnel.

Governor Yahaya also commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices in tackling insurgency, criminality and other security challenges, describing their efforts as vital to national peace and stability.

He expressed confidence that the existing relationship between the Gombe State Government and the Nigerian Army would be further strengthened under the leadership of Major General Dangana.

Earlier, the new GOC said his visit was part of a familiarisation tour of military formations under the 3 Division following the recent redeployment of senior officers in the Nigerian Army.

Major General Dangana said the division is responsible for military operations across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states, adding that the tour would enable him to assess operational activities within the command.

The senior military officer said he was encouraged by the security situation in Gombe, describing the state as relatively peaceful.

“I came to see the state of formations under my purview and I am particularly pleased to observe that Gombe State remains relatively peaceful and secure. We also had a warm, pleasant and fruitful discussion with His Excellency,” he said.

Major General Dangana commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the support his administration has consistently provided to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, saying the cooperation had contributed to maintaining peace in the state.

“I must commend His Excellency for the support and cooperation he has consistently extended to our troops here in Gombe. It is my commitment to build on the peace and security already recorded and to further strengthen our collaboration with the state government in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all,” the army commander said.