Yahaya Approves N54.8m for Entrance Exams, N118.7m for BECE

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved N54.8 million for the conduct of mock and special entrance examinations and another N118.7 million for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the state.

The approvals are part of a series of interventions by the state government aimed at strengthening the education sector, supporting tertiary institutions and improving socio-economic infrastructure across Gombe State.

The state Commissioner for Information, Moses Kiari, disclosed this while outlining recent approvals by the government.

According to him, the N54.8 million approved for the mock and special entrance examinations would facilitate the effective conduct of the examinations and ensure that eligible students have the opportunity to participate under proper and coordinated arrangements.

Mr Kiari said the intervention reflected the administration’s commitment to maintaining a credible education system and ensuring that students were not disadvantaged by inadequate funding for essential examination activities.

The governor also approved N118.7 million for the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination across the state.

The commissioner described the BECE as an important component of the basic education system, serving as a major assessment at the end of the basic education cycle.

He said the funding would support the effective administration of the examination while contributing to efforts to improve the quality, credibility and accessibility of basic education in the state.

Beyond basic education, Mr Kiari said the governor had approved N148.76 million as the Consolidated Academic Staff Allowance (CATA) for academic staff of Gombe State University.

He said the intervention was intended to support lecturers in discharging their teaching, research and other academic responsibilities.

According to him, investment in the welfare and professional development of academic staff remained an important part of the government’s human capital development agenda.

The government also approved the relocation of Tudun Hatsi Market to Tukuru, with N200 million earmarked by the state government for infrastructure associated with the relocation.

An additional N60 million was approved by the Gombe Local Government for the exercise.

Mr Kiari said the relocation was aimed at improving urban planning, traffic management and the orderly conduct of commercial activities while creating a safer and more conducive environment for traders and residents.

He added that the exercise would also provide an opportunity to preserve a historic mosque as a state monument.

The commissioner said the compensation provision demonstrated the government’s consideration for the interests and livelihoods of people affected by development projects.

He said the various approvals reflected the administration’s commitment to strengthening public institutions, improving service delivery and investing in human capital.

The government reiterated its commitment to implementing programmes that directly improve the lives of residents and deploying public resources responsibly to achieve sustainable development across Gombe State.