Gombe state governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has said his administration will continue to work in partnership with the United Nations agencies to address challenges bordering on education, health, agriculture, security and skills development in order to advance the course of humanity.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated this when he granted audience to a United Nations delegation led by the Resident Coordinator, Ambassador Edward Kallon at the Government House, Gombe.
The governor described the composition of the visiting UN team as the calibre of professionals the state is desperately in need of, to address the teething challenges confronting it.
He said his administration appreciates the fact that unless critical issues affecting humanity are addressed and placed on the path of human capital development, the state may not be able to harness and utilise its human and natural resources for the benefit of all.
“In the past, efforts were made more on cosmetics than on the real issues that touch on the interest of the people and for that, we missed the way.”
Governor Yahaya said the country has no reason to be in the situation it currently finds itself, given the abundant human and natural resources at its disposal.
He said the country’s population and natural resources ought to be an advantage and not disadvantage, adding that if properly tapped and utilized, the agricultural resources God has endowed the country with is enough to make the nation a clearinghouse for food production.
The governor pledged that with the framework of the state, his administration will continue to strengthen the relationship with the UN so that the aim of the partnership can be achieved for the benefit of the people.
He said in comparison with other states in the North-East sub-region, Gombe state is relatively peaceful which makes it a hub for individuals fleeing crisis to seek refuge.
Earlier speaking, the UN RC, Edward Kallon commended the state for its comforting role to those displaced by insurgency and general disasters in the neighbouring North-east states.
“Pressure of insurgency and natural disaster in ravaged sister states in North East is seriously telling on Gombe, my presence here is to assure you that you are not alone, UN shall share your pains and burdens,” he said.
