Gombe
Gombe partners with UNICEF, Microsoft to drive digital education initiative
Gombe partners with UNICEF, Microsoft to drive digital education initiative
By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has partnered with UNICEF and Microsoft to launch the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), a digital platform aimed at expanding access to quality education and improving learning outcomes across the state.
The initiative, unveiled in Gombe, is designed to provide inclusive learning opportunities for children, particularly those in remote and underserved communities, by leveraging technology to bridge existing gaps in the education sector.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Head of Civil Service, Mu’azu Shehu, said the programme aligns with the administration’s vision of taking education beyond the conventional classroom setting.
“This initiative will ensure that every child in Gombe State, regardless of location, has access to quality, inclusive and continuous education through digital platforms,” he said.
He illustrated the potential impact of the platform with a simple example.
“Imagine a girl in Nafada who, with just a mobile phone, can access the same quality lessons as her counterparts in the Gombe metropolis. This is the promise of the Nigeria Learning Passport,” Shehu added.
Also speaking the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafiq, represented by the Nigeria Learning Passport Coordinator, Dr. Harold Kpojime, described the initiative as a significant milestone in transforming education delivery in the state.
“The Nigeria Learning Passport is a transformative platform developed to respond to disruptions in education and to support learning continuity for millions of children,” he said.
He noted that the platform, which has already been deployed in several states, offers both online and offline access to curriculum-based materials, making it suitable for areas with limited internet connectivity.
Kpojime said early implementation in Gombe includes the provision of digital devices and training for technical teams, with plans underway to train about 1,000 teachers and connect selected schools across the state.
He also commended the state government’s commitment to education reforms, including measures aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving access to learning.
The initiative is being implemented with support from partners such as IHS Towers, TECNO and the Global Partnership for Education.
Also speaking, Lami Garkwa described the launch as more than just a technological rollout.
“Today, we are not just launching a digital platform; we are opening a door that will never be closed. This is a gateway to the future for every child,” she said.
She added that thousands of lessons aligned with the national curriculum are already available on the platform at no cost.
“Learning can no longer be confined to the four walls of the classroom. The goal is simple — to ensure that learning never stops,” she said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Abubakar Hassan, said the state had begun training teachers to support effective implementation.
“Over the past few days, we have worked closely with partners to equip an initial group of teachers who will cascade this knowledge across schools in the state,” he said.
He added that the establishment of the state’s Information Technology Development Agency would further support digital transformation in education and public service delivery.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the initiative would improve literacy and numeracy outcomes while ensuring that children in Gombe are better prepared for the demands of a digital future.
APC Clears Inuwa Yahaya for Gombe North Senatorial Race
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Friday scaled through the screening process of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Screening Committee, officially clearing the way for his bid to represent Gombe North Senatorial District in the forthcoming elections.
The APC Senatorial Screening Committee, chaired by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, conducted the screening exercise at Plateau House in Abuja.
The exercise featured several sitting governors who sought reelection or contested for senatorial positions on the platform of the ruling APC.
Speaking during the exercise, Professor Yilwatda commended the governors for their contributions to governance and leadership, stressing that the party remained confident in their capacity and track record.
“As a party, we will continue to support all our sitting governors. There is no need to subject you to rigorous screening again, having previously undergone similar processes and served creditably in office,” he said.
The APC chairman further stated that Governor Inuwa Yahaya and other aspirants had met all constitutional and party requirements needed to contest the elections.
“Having satisfied all the necessary requirements, you are hereby requested to take a bow and go,” he added.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s appearance before the screening panel comes amid growing political momentum within the APC following his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate for the Gombe North Senatorial seat.
Political observers believe the governor is entering the contest with significant political influence, administrative experience and a performance record that has strengthened his support base across the senatorial district.
The governor, who has served two terms as governor of Gombe State, is widely credited with infrastructure development, healthcare reform, road construction, and rural development initiatives across the state.
Inuwa Yahaya Defends Gombe Projects, Says Government Focused on Grassroots Development
Committee of Provosts Conference Highlights Reform Agenda Honors Education Leaders
By Auwal Auwal, Gombe
The provost of the Federal College of Education, Gombe, has reiterated the need for strategic reforms in Nigeria’s teacher education system as stakeholders convened for the second Annual Conference of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education.
The conference brought together key policymakers and institutional heads at the National Commission for Colleges of Education headquarters in Abuja to chart a new direction for colleges of education nationwide.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Gombe-based provost aligned with the conference theme, which focused on integrating skill acquisition and entrepreneurship into teacher education.
He emphasized that colleges of education must transition from conventional academic institutions to innovation-driven centers capable of producing self-reliant graduates.
He noted that embedding vocational competencies alongside academic training would significantly enhance graduate employability and position the sub-sector as a catalyst for economic growth.
The conference also featured high-level participation from the Federal Ministry of Education, with the Minister of State, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, describing the reform agenda as a necessary response to evolving labor market demands. She stressed that aligning education with practical skills remains critical to national development.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Angela Ajala, reinforced the Commission’s commitment to policies that promote entrepreneurship within teacher education. She maintained that colleges of education must be repositioned as engines of innovation and productivity.
The Chairman of the Committee of Provosts, Ali Adamu, described the conference as a strategic platform for advancing reforms and strengthening collaboration across institutions.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of a festschrift in honor of former NCCE Executive Secretary Okwelle Paulinus Chijioke, alongside a send-off ceremony recognizing 32 exiting and exited provosts for their contributions to the sector.
For the Provost of the Federal College of Education Gombe, the outcomes of the conference signal a clear shift towards a more responsive and economically relevant teacher education framework, with an emphasis on innovation, skills, and sustainable development.
Yobe ADC Structure, Pro-Atiku Group Dump Opposition for APC
Fusion 774 Endorses Mohammed Buratai for Borno Assembly Seat
Yobe APC Group Warns Aspirants Against Actions Threatening Party Unity
NGX Ends Week in the Green as ₦1.54 Trillion Boosts Investors’ Fortunes
Dangote Launches Landmark ₦1 Trillion Scholarship Scheme to Support 1.3 Million Nigerian Students
CBN’s End to Cash Withdrawal Limit
-
Economy5 months agoNGX Ends Week in the Green as ₦1.54 Trillion Boosts Investors’ Fortunes
-
Education5 months agoDangote Launches Landmark ₦1 Trillion Scholarship Scheme to Support 1.3 Million Nigerian Students
-
Economy5 months agoCBN’s End to Cash Withdrawal Limit
-
Column5 months agoFormal Rebuttal to the Recent Interview Granted by Retired Major General Ali Keffi on Arise TV
-
Gombe5 months agoGombe Shines Again, Ranks Second in Northeast at 2025 PHC Leadership Challenge
-
Politics5 months agoNSGF names Ezekiel Gomos as Director-General, setting stage for stronger regional collaboration
-
Gombe2 months agoA tribute to Dr Langa Hassan Bangunji (JP) – an icon of Scholarship, Leadership and Community Service
-
Sport1 month agoGombe Aquatic Sports Body Unveils Board, Sets Stage for Competitive Debut