Gombe state in the north-east of Nigeria may not ring a bell when it is mentioned. Maybe when it is discussed, it is likely to be in relation to security challenges in the region and the effects on the state.
However, a visit might change such perceptions as there is a new Gombe and a new dawn sprouting under the leadership of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.
For some who have witnessed, it is quite a revolution in the Jewel of the Savannah in the last three and half years. For others, it will be a pleasant surprise that despite the paucity of funds and glaring challenges that have bedevilled the north-east region including Gombe, significant progress is being made.
One of the surprises to come out of the state is the just concluded first Gombe Investment Summit tagged GOINVEST 2022, with the theme: Industrialisation, the Pathway to Innovation, Transformation and Development of Gombe State. Interestingly, all these is happening when most politicians, especially those in their first term as governors or members of the National Assembly have their re-election bids as topmost priority.
The just concluded Gombe Investment Summit 2022, provided opportunity for the state to open itself to Nigerians and the world, showcasing its potentials. With the theme: Industrialization, the Pathway to Innovation, Transformation and Development of Gombe, the summit brought together subject experts from public and private sectors, businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors and start-ups alike.
Flagging off the 3-day summit at Gombe International Conference Centre, Governor inuwa Yahaya highlighted the old saying about Gombe: “(Gombe mai kamar Kano daga nesa – meaning Gombe: the place that resembles Kano from afar)” which confirms its undisputed relevance in regional trade and commerce.
He highlighted the 10-year Development Plan, named Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM): “From the onset of this administration, we were mindful of the enormity of the tasks and challenges before us. That is why we undertook a needs assessment study even before we were sworn into office. The study, which covered all our 114 wards and over 420 communities, would later serve as the foundation for our 10-year development plan known as the Development Agenda for Gombe State. DEVAGOM was built around 5 pillars of economic development: infrastructure, sustainable environment, governance and institutional capacity. All these pillars are fully aligned with the sustainable development goals as set out by the United Nations.”
After the flag off, the Governor accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, and other top government functionaries visited the exhibition stand of private businesses and public concerns where various products and produce such rice, organic food, spices, fragrances, livestock feeds and handmade crafts, etc, were displayed.
The three-day summit had six plenary sessions where finance, the importance of international collaboration, how to improve access to finance for private sector in Gombe State, among others issues were discussed.
The first plenary sub topic was titled Improving Access to Finance for the Private Sector in Gombe State and Financing for a Green Economy – How to Meet the Criteria for Transitioning and Achieving Climate Goals; and Access to Funding as Hurdle to Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners. The objective of the session was to discuss these innovations and help navigate access to finance gaps in the dynamism of the Nigerian financial sector. The plenary was chaired by MK Ahmad the board chairman of Polaris Bank.
The second session discussed what trends are in demand and how companies can shape themselves to take advantage of green investment funds available, how companies can be shaped to meet Nigeria and Gombe State’s specific needs for achieving climate goals.
The second day focused on international development collaboration; facilitating investments into the north-east and the session was chaired by Jean Bakole, Regional Director, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The session discussed the benefits that could be attained if stakeholders can collaborate, and how development partners can fulfil their purpose.
Agriculture was not left out. The session on agribusiness focussed on Propelling Agritech and High Value Supply Chains for Investments in Gombe State, and Export Diversification in the North-east. It dwelled on investment opportunities in the top agribusiness subsectors in Gombe and highlighted new areas of growth across the entire chain. This section was chaired by Phillip Yusuf Yila, Director, Development Finance, CBN.
The last session, Creating Real-world Impact Through Collaboration and Investment, highlighted all the opportunities and potentials in the state.
The closing ceremony had the Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in attendance. He commended the Gombe State governor for his giant strides: “I salute Your Excellency’s focus and your determination to improve the fortunes of Gombe State, especially by positioning it for investments from both foreign and local investors.”
The Vice President also applauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya for remaining consistent in his commitment to ensuring Gombe State becomes a preferred destination for foreign and local investors.
He said: “This inaugural summit, GOINVEST, is consistent with Gombe State’s mission to create an enabling environment for sustainable prosperity, peace, cohesion and an all-inclusive development for the people of the state, as contained in the Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM) 2021-2030.
“The Development Plan itself is perhaps one of the few by a subnational to articulate a detailed long-term vision and plan towards the transformation of the state. In addition, the state developed a full Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) covering the last two years 2020-2022. So, DEVAGOM 2021-2030, is both a visioning exercise and a concrete road map to the long-term growth and sustainable development of Gombe State.”
“I am also informed that Gombe State was recently invited by the world-renowned Royal Institute of International Affairs, popularly known as the Chatham House, to share its experience in implementing the state’s health system reforms. These validations from different bodies, local and international could not have come by accident.”
After the closing ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya led the Vice President to commission the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park located in Dadin Kowa about 50km from the state capital. “The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is a 1000-hectare mega industrial facility strategically located along the linking point of transport and energy infrastructure… (and) expected to help consolidate Gombe’s position as the industrial hub of the North-east subregion”.
There is no doubt that with the current drive, passion, determination and desire of Governor Yahaya to reposition Gombe State as a destination of choice for investors in Nigeria, it is only a matter of time before Gombe state will become one of the most variable, economically stable and financially independent states in Nigeria.
With the success of the summit, the state governor has shown that even though it is necessary for politicians to focus on politics of the moment, it is important for them to have their eyes on the future of their constituencies in any elected position.
As the Vice President noted, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has kept faith with his people and lived up to his promise to “create an enabling environment for sustainable prosperity, peace, cohesion and an all-inclusive development for the people of the state.”
It is a new Gombe state and the time for all local and foreign investors to go invest in Gombe!!!