Gombe in the hands of Dankwambo
Like other states of the federation which have celebrated either the 20th or the 25th anniversary of their creation from an older state, Gombe in the week of September 24th-29th, wore a new look in order to welcome visitors for the celebration of its 20th anniversary since it was created from the former Bauchi state on the 6th of October, 1996.
On Friday September 29, I was one of friends of Gombe State invited by the state government to be part of the celebration of the success story that has been Gombe in the past 20 years of its creation. I shared this privilege with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; past governors who governed Gombe and many others who governed other states; scores of senators and other National Assembly members and top celebrities in the Nigerian society. Gombe enjoys such tremendous goodwill that I wondered what connection many eminent Nigerians from across the country who are nonindigenes have with the state that they, like me,were invited to grace the occasion of its 20th anniversary celebration.
As soon as I landed at the Gombe International Airport, I could not help but reflect on the fact that since the advent of the current democratic dispensation some states seem to be blessed with a succession of good governors while others are not so blessed; they have had a succession of bad governors, giving rise to perennial cries from some of their people wondering why it looks like their states are labouring under a curse.
Gombe seems to be one of the few blessed with good and exceptional governors especially in the past 13 years with the tenure of the immediate former governor, Danjuma Goje and the current helmsman, Ibrahim Dankwambo. Gombites whose opinion I sampled say that much of what has happened positively in Gombe in the past 13 years are due, in large part, to the great efforts of Goje and Dankwambo. Although both erstwhile political friends have parted political ways, Dankwambo is perceived as the Joshua that has effectively taken over from Goje the Moses of the state. Both men appear to know what the state needs most for they have committed themselves to providing key socio-economic infrastructure which have led to the rapid development of the state when compared to its ‘age-mates’ created the same time as it.
But what specific value has the incumbent governor Dankwambo added to a state he inherited from his immediate predecessor and now senator Danjuma Goje?
Dankwambo boasts of the eyecatching International Conference Centre that invites attention to itself with its beauty and grandeur. It is located by the major road that runs from the city centre to the Gombe International Airport.
Another of Dankwambo’s landmark projects is the Petroleum Tanker Bay or Trailer Truck Garage in Gombe which is also an architectural beauty to behold. But for many Gombites that I talked to, they appear to think that one of Dankwambo’s development
When Dankwambo first came in, he realised that of the about 18,000 Gombe students who registered and sat for WAEC that year, only seven passed with five credits, an outcome that so irked the governor that he declared solemnly that his emphasis will be on education, education and education
strides they are most impressed with is his provision of key access roads across the state, especially in the rural areas which have greatly enhanced socio-economic intercourse among the people. His road development effort is also noticeable in the state capital which has significantly given Gombe a great facelift.
Some told me they are more impressed with his emphasis on the development of the education sector. One recalled to me that when Dankwambo first came in, he realised that of the about 18,000 Gombe students who registered and sat for WAEC that year,only seven passed with five credits, an outcome that so irked the governor that he declared solemnly that his emphasis will be on education, education and education.
And since after that declaration, the man has matched his word with action with the establishment of a School of Basic and Remedial Studies(SBRS) in Kumo as a part of the Gombe State University. This is to prepare students graduating from secondary schools for admission into tertiary schools.
He has built several primary, secondary and a few tertiary institutions in order to provide vitally needed human capital resources. Some of the schools are either brand new or facilities such as classroom blocks, laboratories or dormitories are added to existing schools in the state in order to enhance school enrolment or increase learning. The Governor is justly proud of the new Gombe State College of Education in Biliri. For a politician who is anxious for short-term success stories to convince his people of his performance ability to place emphasis on education which brings long-term result, tells you of Dankwambo’s love for his people and his resolve for selfless service to the people of Gombe.
I think that Dankwambo’s selfconfidence in pursuing educational development which does not yield quick time dividends lies in the fact that he is not achieving success in only the educational sector. In terms of positive perception, he is hailed as a no -nonsense man who does not permit the squandering of government money and other resources. He is seen as a good manager of men and resources. Some say they admire him for his care and concern for the well-being of the people with his insistence on the efficient running of public utilities or socio-economic facilities.
An indigene I spoke with said that Gombe has been exceptionally lucky in the calibre and character of governors it has had since its creation in 1996. The founding fathers who were military men laid a foundation that succeeding democratic leaders beginning with Abubakar Hashidu and now with Dankwambo who is in-charge, have built upon.