31st January, 2020

Governor Inuwa Yahaya lauds UNFPA, Norwegian Government for support to girl-child education, health in Gombe

...says his administration enrols 140,000 out- of- school children

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commended the Norwegian Government and United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA for supporting girl-child education and implementing other healthcare programmes in the state.

He gave the compliment while receiving in audience a joint UNFPA/ Norwegian Government delegation on a courtesy visit at the government house.

Governor Yahaya expressed satisfaction with the UNFPA supported projects' impact in improving the lives of women and children, girl- child education, gender equality and succour to the displaced persons.

He noted that the influx of displaced persons from insurgency ravaged states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have over stretched numerous public facilities in Gombe, as such more needs to be done by both government and partners to address the problems.

He said, "Donor agencies and development partners have wonderfully done well in Gombe state but I still urge them to do more so as to strentghen us in accomodating the displaced persons, because they are Nigerians and must be accomodated no matter what, considering the circumstance that led to their relocation from their immediate communities and ancestral homes".

He lamented that many development partners do not see Gombe as one of the frontline states in the northeast, stating however that the impact of insurgency in the state is glaring considering the continous influx of the displaced persons into the state some of whom have already made up their minds not to go back to their states.

Governor Yahaya revealed that Gombe state government in a joint effort with the World Bank supported Better Education Service Delivery for All project (BESDA) was able to mop up about 140.000 of the 550,000 recorded out- of- school children in the state from the month of August- December 2019.

He said, "By the records of United Nations Children Fund(UNICEF), Gombe State alone has over 550, 000 out-of-school children but I believe we have more and 60 to 70 per cent of them are girls.

“ As a result of efforts made between August and the end of December last year, we were able to enroll 140, 000 children but that is not enough. Retaining and giving them quality education to uplift their lives, is key,” the Governor stated.

He stressed that his administration is addressing the huge infrastructural deficit in the education sector, while also putting efforts towards revamping the sector and improving the quality of education at all levels.

Earlier in their separate remarks, the UNFPA Deputy Representative, Erika Godson and the First Secretary, Norway Embassy, Mari Lundeby commended Gombe state Governor for his commitment in addressing maternal health and other development issues while restating resolve towards enhancing girl-child education and working with the state in addressing high maternal mortality rates among other challenges.


Ismaila Uba Misilli
Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity)

A Great and New nigeria we want again!!