Gombe, UNICEF Targets Child Malnutrition with N1bn Lifeline

By Auwal Umar, Gombe

The Gombe State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have unveiled a N1 billion intervention aimed at combating acute malnutrition among children, as alarming nutrition indicators continue to threaten the well-being of thousands of young children across the state.

The intervention, funded through a counterpart arrangement in which the state government and UNICEF contributed N500 million each, will provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Speaking during a monitoring exercise of the nutrition commodities, the executive secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, described malnutrition as one of the most serious public health challenges confronting the state.

According to him, the therapeutic food products will be distributed across all local government areas to ensure that affected children receive timely treatment and nutritional support.

“These emergency foods, known as ready-to-use therapeutic food, are meant for the management of children with acute malnutrition. The Gombe State Government has provided N500 million as matching funds, while UNICEF also contributed N500 million, bringing the total investment to N1 billion,” he said.

Dr Shuaibu noted that the government was taking proactive measures because of the growing burden of child malnutrition in the state.

Recent findings from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 show that malnutrition remains a major concern in Gombe and across the North-East. The survey revealed that children in the region continue to face high levels of stunting, wasting and underweight conditions, indicators that reflect chronic and acute undernutrition.

The agency head said the intervention aims to save lives and get the supplies to the kids who need them most.

“Gombe has a high number of malnourished children, and this situation has compelled the government to take decisive action. We are monitoring the distribution process closely to ensure transparency and accountability so that these commodities reach the intended beneficiaries,” he stated.

Also speaking, UNICEF’s Vaccine Security and Logistics Representative in Gombe State, Pharmacist Abubakar Muhammad, said the intervention was informed by nutrition data that identified a significant number of children requiring urgent nutritional support.

“Based on available data, we observed that many children are suffering from malnutrition and require these nutritional supplements. That is why UNICEF intervened by providing ready-to-use therapeutic food for the management of malnourished children,” he explained.

Muhammad noted that UNICEF has maintained a strong partnership with Gombe State over the past seven years, supporting various health and nutrition programmes aimed at improving child survival and development.

“UNICEF has been supporting Gombe State for the past seven years, and we remain committed to sustaining this intervention and other programmes that improve the health and nutrition of children,” he added.

Health experts say severe acute malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children under five, especially in vulnerable communities where access to nutritious food is limited.

With the new N1 billion investment, thousands of children are expected to benefit from life-saving treatment, offering renewed hope to families struggling to protect their children from the devastating effects of hunger and malnutrition.

For many parents across Gombe, the intervention represents more than a government programme, it is a chance for their children to survive, recover and grow into healthy adults.

APC Picks Jamilu Gwamna as Gombe Governorship Flagbearer for 2027

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe 

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has elected Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election following the party’s primary election conducted across the state.

Announcing the outcome of the exercise on Thursday, Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Sani Danladi, declared Dr Gwamna the winner after he secured 247,161 votes in the direct primary election.

According to the committee, former minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, garnered 12,120 votes, while former minister of transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, polled 11,612 votes.

Senator Danladi said that the party conducted the primary election peacefully and in compliance with its guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He commended party members across the 11 local government areas of the state for what he described as their orderly conduct and massive participation during the exercise.

The APC committee chairman noted that the successful conduct of the primary reflected the party’s unity, grassroots support, and growing strength in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 polls.

The collation of results took place at the APC State Secretariat in Gombe and was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Umar Mukhtar Gajiram.

Security agencies, election observers, media representatives, and senior APC officials also attended the announcement of the results.

Governor Yahaya Assures Fairness, Warns Against Political Violence in Gombe

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has assured political parties and aspirants of a level playing field ahead of the 2027 general elections, while warning against violence, lawlessness, and actions capable of threatening the peace of the state.

Mr Inuwa Yahaya gave the assurance during a statewide broadcast on Wednesday as political parties prepare to conduct their primary elections in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor said the forthcoming political process represents a critical phase in the country’s democratic journey, stressing that peace and stability must remain paramount throughout the exercise.

“As you are all aware, preparations for the 2027 general elections have begun,” he said.

He explained that Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act recognises only two methods for nominating candidates seeking elective offices — direct primaries and consensus arrangements.

According to him, political parties across the country are expected to conclude the process of selecting candidates for various positions this month.

Mr Inuwa Yahaya disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe initially explored the consensus option through consultations involving the party’s elders and executive members.

He said the effort was largely successful, as many aspirants agreed to support endorsed candidates in order to preserve party unity.

However, he noted that disagreements among some aspirants made total consensus impossible, thereby making direct primaries necessary.

“In the absence of unanimous acceptance of the consensus option, we must proceed with direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act. This is democracy at work,” the governor stated.

He added that direct primaries would provide aspirants with a transparent and fair platform to seek the support of party members.

The governor stressed that his administration would remain neutral and ensure fairness to all political parties and contestants during the primary elections and the 2027 general polls.

Mr Inuwa Yahaya, who is approaching the final year of his second term in office, said preserving peace in the state remains one of his administration’s top priorities.

“The stability of Gombe State is bigger than the ambition of any politician or political party,” he said.

The governor also accused some politicians and “conflict entrepreneurs” of attempting to exploit the political season to create tension and instability in the state.

“There will be zero tolerance for violence, lawlessness and political rascality from any individual or group,” he warned.

According to him, any individual or group found responsible for any breakdown of law and order before, during, or after the primaries would face severe legal consequences regardless of political influence or social status.

Mr Inuwa Yahaya noted that Gombe had remained relatively peaceful since its creation in 1996 despite security challenges affecting parts of the North-east and northern Nigeria.

He attributed the peaceful atmosphere in the state to unity, vigilance, tolerance, and adherence to the rule of law by citizens and leaders.

The governor called on political parties, aspirants, youths, and community leaders to place the interest of the state above personal ambitions and political differences.

He further assured residents that the state government would continue to collaborate with security agencies and other stakeholders to guarantee peaceful conduct of the primaries and the 2027 general elections.

“With your support and prayers, I have no doubt that the upcoming primary elections and subsequent general elections will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and security,” he added.