…….Says Gombe State’s Exceptional Delivery of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda Driving Regional Economic Growth.
FIC Report (Gombe State) – The National Economic Council (NEC) has hailed Gombe State as one of Nigeria’s leading examples in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the state’s remarkable strides in agriculture, climate resilience and environmental restoration.
The Council therefore commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his visionary leadership and strategic investments in these critical sectors, noting that they are not only transforming economy in the state but also stimulating regional economic growth, strengthening food security and improving the livelihoods of citizens.
The commendation came through the Northeast Implementation Monitoring Committee of the National Economic Council during an official visit to Gombe State to assess the implementation of key development projects and resolutions of the Council aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and national development.
During the two-day monitoring exercise, the delegation inspected the 21-kilometre Federal College of Education (Technical) Gully Erosion Control Project, the ongoing 18-kilometre Doma Gully Erosion Control Project, the Kanawa Farm Centre and the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area.
Speaking after the inspections, the Team Leader of the National Economic Council (NEC) Northeast Implementation Monitoring Committee, Hon. Dr. Maina Yaumi, said the committee was highly impressed by the quality, scale and impact of the projects, describing them as practical demonstrations of government’s commitment to improving livelihoods and strengthening climate-resilient development.
“Seeing is believing. These are not projects that exist only on paper; they are physically on the ground and making tangible impacts. We are genuinely impressed by what His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has accomplished,” he stated.
The delegation observed that Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s deliberate investments in agriculture directly complement President Tinubu’s food security agenda, stressing that increased food production remains fundamental to sustainable economic growth.
“Without food security, it is difficult to attain sustainable economic development. A well-fed population remains the foundation of any prosperous society,” the team leader observed after interacting with farmers at the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster.
Dr. Yaumi explained that the monitoring exercise was neither an audit nor a fault-finding mission, but a collaborative assessment of how states are implementing resolutions reached at the monthly meetings of the National Economic Council under the chairmanship of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He said the findings would be presented to the Council to strengthen policy implementation, encourage peer learning and support evidence-based decision-making across the federation.
Also speaking, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, said the interventions reflect Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to protecting lives, restoring degraded environments and creating sustainable livelihoods for affected communities.
He explained that beyond reclaiming degraded lands and protecting communities from perennial flooding, the government organized beneficiaries into Community Interest Groups, providing skills acquisition, interest-free livelihood support and opportunities in fish farming, poultry production, greenhouse farming, irrigated agriculture and other agricultural value chains to restore incomes lost to years of environmental degradation.
He added that the projects incorporate innovative climate adaptation measures, including rainwater harvesting structures, waste recycling facilities and organic fertilizer production, aimed at reducing environmental risks while promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental sustainability.
At the Kanawa Farm Centre, Dr. Jauro described the facility as a modern agricultural innovation and capacity development hub established to strengthen extension services, build farmers’ capacity and promote climate-smart agriculture.
He disclosed that similar centres are being replicated across the state’s three senatorial districts to expand access to modern agricultural technologies and extension services.
He explained that the facility operates a circular economy model, integrating fish ponds, poultry and livestock production with waste recycling and organic fertilizer production to minimize waste, improve efficiency and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
Also speaking, The Deputy Director Agricultural Services from the Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Jonathan Bulus, described the centre as a “farmers’ hospital,” where producers access improved seeds, fertilizers, technical advisory services, training and extension services, storage facilities and modern agricultural technologies under one roof.
The delegation was further briefed on the state’s agricultural support programmes, which currently cover 47 registered farmers’ clusters across the 11 Local Government Areas through the provision of extension services, improved inputs and capacity-building initiatives.
At the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster, comprising about 3,200 farmers, the delegation interacted with the farmers who expressed appreciation to the government for support and intervention towards improving food security.
The Chairman of the Kunji and Kwadon Farmers’ Clusters, Gidado Abubakar, said dry-season farming, particularly cotton cultivation, has recorded significantly higher yields than rain-fed farming due to improved irrigation and sustained government support.
Earlier, the delegation toured the 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, the College of Nursing Sciences, ongoing projects within the Three Arms Zone, the Urban Renewal Projects in Shehu Abubakar District including the ongoing Underpass project, the new State Secretariat Complex, Government House and other signature infrastructure projects executed by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
At the end of the two-day monitoring exercise, the NEC delegation unanimously commended the quality, scale and impact of the projects inspected, describing them as practical examples of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action and a development model worthy of replication by other states across the federation.
Abdul Bello
HOC FIC Gombe
