As part of his zero discrimination policy toward providing dividends of democracy to citizens of his State, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has provided Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, with mobility aids for ease of movement, along with empowerment tools for sustainable economic growth.
Earlier this month, on Friday, April 1st precisely, the Governor got resounding ovation after giving out some 1,000 tricyles (Keke NAPEP) to unemployed youths of the State in bids to take them off the street and get them engaged in providing essential transportation services to citizens of the State.
Barely 24 hours after the Friday empowerment and with the excitement still in the air, Yahaya increased the tempo by extending yet another magnanimous gesture to Persons with Disabilities and vulnerable women in the State. This time, he distributed wheel chairs, walking sticks, sewing and grinding machines.
Governor Yahaya has received special recognition by PWDs as being the first Governor since creation of the State to host and join PWDs in celebrating the International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
Governor Yahaya laying the foundation for the building of mega Islamic Center in Gombe
Furthermore, there is a working partnership between the Governor and an International Charity Organization, Qatar Charity, to support the State Government in providing essential infrastructures for the State.
Country Director of Qatar Charity, Sheikh Hamdi Elsayed Mohammed Abdou, revealed that Governor Yahaya had for the past three years invited the Qatar Charity Organization to Gombe State to support Government’s effort toward overall progress of the State.
He says, “Three years ago, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with His Excellency, purposely to make meaningful contributions to the development of Gombe State. We appreciate His Excellency for donating a piece of land for the building of a Mega Islamic Center in the State.”
“The giant strides recorded by the administration of Governor Yahaya in the areas of education and human resources development are quite impressive, hence our organization is motivated by His Excellency’s zeal and passion towards serving humanity. We therefore assure his Government of our continual support”, the Director said.
INN learnt that the Qatar Charity Organization had already commenced laying the foundation for the mega Islamic Center, Gombe State.
We were also reliably informed that construction of schools, hospitals and other vital public infrastructures will soon be undertaken by the organization.
Remarking on the developments, newly elected Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities JONAPWD, Dr. Ishyaku Adamu, congratulated Gov. Yahaya on the unprecedented giant strides recorded by his administration within such short time. He thanked the Governor for previous support he has rendered to Persons with Disabilities in the State.
“We appreciate His Excellency for his consistent support towards PWDs in Gombe State. PWDs had received Covid-19 palliative support from the State Government.
“Just last week, we held our election to elect new leaders and I emerged as new Chairman of JONAPWD.
“We remain grateful to His Excellency for the support received from the Ministry of Women Affairs. This support was significant to the successful conduct of the election”, a visibly excited Adamu said.
The JONAPWD Chairman also appreciated the Country Director of Qatar Charity Organization, Sheikh Hamdi Elsayed Mohammed Abdou for their kind-hearted gesture towards the plight of PWDs in Gombe State.
He assured of the beneficiaries’ resolve to judiciously use the items given them to make life better.
Adamu further used the occasion to appeal to Honourable members of Gombe State House of Assembly to speed up passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill presently in the House. This, he said will give legal backing for eradication of all forms of barriers against PWDs in the State.
The empowerment tools – sewing machines, walking sticks, wheel chairs and grinding machines were readily handed over to the beneficiaries which includes vulnerable women, the Blind, and Persons with Physical Disabilities.
A member of the Qatar Charity Organization team who pleaded anonymity disclosed to our reporter that a second batch of the empowerment is underway to accommodate other clusters of PWDs.
The event was graced by prominent personalities in the State.