MEMBERS of the Christian community in Gombe State have commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for exhibiting courage in leadership, and for executing viable projects across critical sectors of the economy.
According to a statement signed and issued by the Director-General of Press Affairs to the governor, Ismaila Uba Misilli, Sunday morning, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Gombe state chapter, Rev. Fr. Joseph Alphonsus Shinga made the commendation when he led the Christian faithful on a new year homage to the Governor at the Government House.
The religious leader, who extended on behalf of the Christian community, his new year felicitations to the Governor, prayed for divine knowledge and wisdom upon him, his cabinet and the state at large.
He said Christians in the state are proud of the Governor’s performance in human capital and infrastructural spheres across critical sectors of the economy in the state, stressing that if given another chance the state will be in for a new deal of progress and prosperity.
Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Shinga equally praised the Governor’s unflinching support to CAN , saying Christians in the state owe it a duty to continuously support the policies and programmes of the present administration because of his disposition and exemplary character.
He thanked the Governor for sponsoring 33 Christians who performed Pilgrimage in Israel and Jordan this year, and sought for the continuation of the same gesture.
He appealed to Governor Inuwa Yahaya to assist the association towards the provision of water to the CAN centre, just as he requested for financial support towards the development of their Guest House for which the present administration was instrumental to its construction through an earlier donation.
In his response, Governor Inuwa thanked the Christian community in the state for their cooperation towards the maintenance and enhancement of peace and tranquility in the State, especially when compared to the security challenges being experienced by contiguous states within the North East sub region and beyond.
He observed that it is owing to the prevailing peace and tranquility that his administration is able to perform well in ensuring social, economic and infrastructural development, and therefore enjoined the citizens of the State to jealously guard against anything that will disturb the peace.
“The love we share is what is keeping us together and we shall continue to jealously guard it”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained that during the Christmas celebrations, his administration disbursed over 90 million naira to support the Christian community in the state to mark the festival with ease in view of the current economic situation in the country.
While speaking on CAN’s request for further development of its Guest House at the CAN centre, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said in addition to the 25 million naira earlier donated by his administration for the construction of the said facility, he is yet again delivering to the association the sum of 15 million naira for fencing, interlocking and other works there.
He also announced a gift of 10 million naira for the Christians as new year gift- with 5 million each for the women and men wings.
“Equally with regards to your request for intervention on water supply, at the CAN centre; as you are aware, we are working on expanding the Gombe regional water scheme and I believe you must have seen recently that the Minister of Water Resources came around to join us to flag off the project which the government is spending over 11.68 billion to supply water to the under- served communities, especially the neighbourhood around Tunfure up to the International conference centre and the surrounding suburbs of Gombe”.
The Governor explained that the expansion of the Gombe regional water scheme is expected to reach many communities surrounding Gombe; among them the soon to be commissioned Gombe Mega Motor Park and the CAN centre which is equally a request by the association to the Governor.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya used the occasion to appeal to the citizens of the State to exercise their rights to vote for candidates of their choice by obtaining their Permanent Voters’ Cards.
He changed eligible voters not to be hesitant towards collecting their PVCs so as to guarantee their rights to vote for credible leaders who have the interest of the nation at heart.
During the occasion, special prayers were offered to the Governor, the state and the nation. There was also a rendition of songs of praises by various Christian groups.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jataua, member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Mela Danzaria, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other top government officials.