Governor Inuwa Gets Commendation Over Compliance With Federal Character Principle
The Federal Character Commission ( FCC) has commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya over fair and equitable distribution of social services, amenities and infrastructural facilities across nooks and crannies of Gombe State with strict observance of Federal Character principles.
FCC Executive Chairman, Dr. Muheebba Dankaka made this commendation while speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Inuwa Yahaya at the Government House, Gombe.
She said, “I am happy to note that at the state level, your Excellency has exemplified these vital national aspirations; your administration has extended projects across all the senatorial zones and the local Government areas, thus enhancing the sense of belonging among the people”.
Dr. Muheebba added that, “Yours was a gamut of developmental projects that have impacted positively on the lives of the people. The Industrial Park under construction is novel, so also the massive infrastructure in health care, roads, schools, women and youth empowerment among others.
“We are particularly encouraged by your rising profile as an emerging leader in the country. Your governance style of firmness, prudence and decisiveness yet accommodating, has earned you laurels and appreciations across the entire country. Certainly, there is no vacancy in Gombe State Government House”, she stressed.
The FCC chief executive said, with what her commission has witnessed in Gombe, it will make sure that same is replicated in other states.
“We are taking the Gombe model under your able leadership and we’ll request other states of the Federation to copy from you as public and political posts as well as democracy dividends are distributed evenly here”, she said.
The chairman explained that the visit was part of wide consultations embarked upon by her commission with critical stakeholders to help deliver on its mandate of nation building, inclusiveness and promoting peace and unity among diverse people of Nigeria.
She said the consultation became pertinent considering the enormous challenges the country is facing.
“Our nation is at crossroads; decades after independence, there is still a scramble for resources, job opportunities amongst the contending ethnic groups. The cry of marginalization by one section or another has remained recurring decimal in our political and economic history.
“These pressing issues are what necessitated the creation of the Federal Character principle to address these vital national questions” she added.
In his response, Governor Inuwa, who lamented the bad condition of roads linking Gombe to other parts of the region, urged the commission to ensure enforcement of Federal character principle in provisions of infrastructural facilities likes roads and railways which he described as prerequisites for development.
“We are at the centre of North East, but for us to reach to any of our neighboring states, we spend hours of difficult journey because of bad roads”.
The governor called for the extension of the eastern railway network to Adamawa and Taraba States to provide easy movement of goods and services across different regions of the country.
“The rail line that reached Gombe since 1962 would have been extended to Yola and to Jalingo, so that it will connect to Cross River and the rest of South-East and South-South states for economic growth and development of our region and the country entirely”.
The governor also called on the commission to ensure equitable distribution of Federal government job opportunities for the people considering the looming challenge of unemployment,.especially in the insurgency-wrecked Northeast.
He expressed confidence that despite enormous challenges this country is facing, with strong political will and determination, the country will come out of the woods.
He appreciated the Commission for chosing Gombe to crown its consultation visits, adding that his administration is ready to collaborate with any organisation willing to help the government in improving the lives of the people.
