Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Executive Governor of Gombe State, wins big at the Business Day Newspaper’s State Competitiveness and Good Governance Award, 2022. Yahaya emerged as the winner for the Most Improved State on Ease of Doing Business and the Most Improved State in Rural and Urban Development.
The event, which took place on Thursday at the Abuja Continental Hotel (Sheraton Hotel and Towers), had in attendance personalities and dignitaries from across the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the event, Frank Aigbogun, publisher and chief executive officer of Business Day Media, said the event was created to ensure leaders at the sub-national levels of governance imbibe the culture of hard work and deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens.
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According to him, Governor Yahaya competed with other governors in various categories and emerged as the winner of Most Improved State on Ease of Doing Business and Most Improved State in Rural and Urban Development after the Award Committee, made up of eminent personalities, gathered primary data through on-the-spot assessments and analysis of secondary data provided on different socio-economic parameters.
“We have seen great strides in Gombe State since the coming of Governor Inuwa Yahaya. We have heard of his exploits in the health sector, infrastructure, rural development, and investment drive. Just a few days ago, we witnessed as his state clinched the number one spot in the Ease of Doing Business ranking. No wonder His Excellency is a regular recipient of our Competitiveness Awards. We congratulate His Excellency, and we encourage him to continue to do more”.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, described the recognition as a challenge to do more. He appreciated the media outfit for rewarding hard work and excellence in governance.
He said, “Let me begin by appreciating the publishers of Business Day for this recognition and award. It is a very important job you have done. Just last week we received an award as the best state in ease of doing business and another on pro-labour policies by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, and here we are today receiving another set of awards on excellence in public service.
“For us, receiving an award is a challenge. A burden and expectation on us to do more. Based on system theory, no one can do anything alone. We appreciate the contributions of all the people of the state who made this award a possibility. Therefore, the award is dedicated to all the people resident in the state for their various contributions towards the success of our administration.
“I invite you all to Gombe State to visit the 1000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where we have provided all facilities, including a dedicated source of power from Dadinkowa Dam, state-of-the-art infrastructure, social amenities, as well as a peaceful atmosphere for businesses to thrive. I also invite you to come and invest in Gombe State. We have the friendliest environment for business operations.”
Other notable recipients are Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State; Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Empowerment; and Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, among others.
The Gombe delegation at the event included the Commissioner of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Nasiru Aliyu mni; his Rural Development counterpart, Danladi Adamu; and the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi.
