Gombe State Marks Progress in Health and Education—Governor Yahaya
As part of activities commemorating six years in office, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has showcased key strides made by his administration in the sectors of health, education, and agriculture.
In a statewide address delivered from the Council Chamber at the Government House, Governor Yahaya noted that each of the 114 political wards in the state now has a fully functional primary healthcare centre, thanks to targeted infrastructure expansion. He further announced that approximately 440 healthcare professionals and 145 midwives have been employed and stationed in hard-to-reach communities to enhance maternal and child healthcare.
The governor also highlighted upgrades to health institutions, including the comprehensive refurbishment of Gombe Specialist Hospital and the general hospitals in Bajoga and Kaltungo. He mentioned the construction of a new modern general hospital in Kumo, which has been upgraded to a Federal Medical Centre by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
To close gaps in medical manpower, the state built a 1,000-seat School of Nursing Sciences and rolled out the Gombe State Contributory Health Scheme (Go-Health). The scheme has so far registered more than 369,000 individuals, including 100,000 vulnerable residents now enjoying free medical services.
Turning to education, Governor Yahaya recalled the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, which paved the way for the building and rehabilitation of over 1,600 classrooms in 350 schools. In addition, more than 1,000 qualified teachers have been recruited.
Through the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) initiative, the government has reintegrated over 350,000 out-of-school children into formal education via newly established Integrated Almajiri Tsangaya Centres across the 11 local government areas.
In the agricultural space, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers and pastoralists by providing fertilisers and essential farm tools, conducting animal health campaigns, and promoting peaceful coexistence through conflict mitigation strategies.
