By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State has strengthened its disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity after the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of the Gombe State Specialist Hospital secured accreditation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for measles and rubella testing.

The accreditation has formally brought the facility into the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, positioning Gombe among a select group of health facilities in Nigeria with internationally recognised capacity to confirm suspected cases of the two vaccine-preventable diseases.

The development represents a major boost to Gombe State’s healthcare system, particularly in the areas of disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis and emergency response.

The Chief Medical Director of the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, Dr Dawa Sambo, described the achievement as a significant milestone, attributing it to sustained investment by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in healthcare infrastructure, diagnostic services and human capacity.

Dr Sambo said the accreditation would reduce the state’s dependence on distant reference laboratories for confirmation of suspected measles and rubella cases.

He explained that medical laboratory scientists in Gombe can now conduct the required diagnostic tests locally, reducing the time between sample collection and confirmation.

“Faster laboratory confirmation is critical to effective disease surveillance because it enables health authorities to respond more quickly when suspected cases are detected,” Dr Sambo said.

He added that the shorter turnaround time would strengthen the ability of surveillance teams to investigate suspected cases promptly and introduce appropriate containment and vaccination measures, particularly during outbreaks.

To obtain the accreditation, the laboratory underwent a rigorous assessment against WHO quality and technical requirements.

The assessment covered areas including sample collection and handling, biosafety, testing procedures, data management, quality assurance and proficiency testing.

The facility was also required to demonstrate consistent performance through External Quality Assessment and proficiency panel testing, as well as competence in the use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the serological detection of measles and rubella infections.

The accreditation is particularly significant for the North-East, where suspected samples have historically had to be transported over considerable distances to designated reference laboratories for confirmation.

Such logistical challenges could delay the confirmation of suspected infections and slow the deployment of appropriate public health interventions.

With the Gombe laboratory now accredited, health authorities have access to additional diagnostic capacity closer to affected communities, potentially enabling faster investigations and responses to suspected outbreaks.

The development also strengthens Gombe’s contribution to Nigeria’s participation in the global measles and rubella surveillance system.

The state is now among only eight locations in Nigeria with WHO-accredited capacity for measles and rubella laboratory testing.

Beyond the international recognition, the accreditation is expected to deliver practical benefits to public health, including faster diagnosis, stronger disease surveillance, quicker outbreak response and improved protection of children and communities.

For the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, the recognition is also an endorsement of the quality of its laboratory services and the technical competence of its personnel.

The achievement further demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, skilled personnel and quality assurance in building a health system capable of meeting international standards.

For Gombe, the WHO accreditation represents more than a laboratory achievement; it provides the state with stronger tools to detect vaccine-preventable diseases early and respond to public health threats more effectively.

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.