Gombe Govt seeks partnership with IsDB to boost private sector investments

In furtherance of its commitment to woo more investments into the state, the Gombe State Government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has sent a special delegation to the ongoing Islamic Development Bank’s Private Sector Forum and Annual Meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Gombe State delegation, led by the Chairman of the State’s Investment and Property Development Company, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga (Sarkin Fulanin Gombe) met with the IsDB’s Team comprising of Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, Vice President; Dr. Ahsaru Kibria, Country Manager; Mr. Mahmodou Alpha Bah, IsDB Nigeria Office; and Mr. Abdulkadir Baba-Ahmed, from IsDB VPs Office, Jeddah. The discussions between the two delegations centred around the ways through which the reputable financial institution will deploy its resources and expertise to support the Gombe State Government in critical areas of economic development. Specifically, the two teams discussed ways through which IsDB will actively participate in the next Gombe State Investment Summit (Goinvest 2.0) following the success recorded by the maiden summit held in December last year. The Gombe delegation also sought the IsDB’s support for the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park through Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission’s investor drive and for the bank to participate in the formal commissioning of the park which is coming soon. The Park Located in Dadinkowa, some 40km away from the state capital covers a thousand hectares of land and is provided with facilities and amenities like water, road network and power, guaranteeing a favourable atmosphere for industries to thrive. On the Gombe Green Sukuk, the IsDB assured to fully support the pre-development work, inventory aggregation, and the full implementation of the programme. In the area of Agriculture, the Bank through its agricultural team will directly support the livestock-value-chain and the anti-venom manufacturing plant in the state to reduce the devastating effects of snake bites and other related health risks on the people of the state. Balanga Dam, the second largest Dam in the state with a lot of potential is also set to benefit from the collaborative efforts. The Balanga Dam Project will be implemented with a detailed business plan and investor proposals thereby exploiting its full potential for the growth and development of Gombe State. The great Wawa-zange Grazing Reserve will also receive the needed attention. it is agreed that Gombe State will support MercyCorps to fast-track the development of the Business Case through the concession of the Project, putting the reserve to good use. The IsDB’s team assured of their group’s readiness to support the state in all the potential areas of investments and interventions, expressing confidence that the state has proven to be a dependable development partner. The Gombe State delegation had Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Planning, and Development Partner Coordination; and Haj. Aisha Bako, Managing Director Onyx Consultant

Buhari procured 20 ships in eight years- Naval Chief

President Muhammadu Buhari bought 20 capital ships for the Nigerian Navy (NN) during the eight years of his administration, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, said on Friday. According to Garba, who spoke via a signed statement, the ships comprise of Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, Helicopters, as well as, over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault crafts. According to him, Buhari’s contribution to the development of the NN during his administration, has set him to give receive a befitting Presidential Fleet Review (PFR). The PFR with the theme: ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’ will hold in Lagos from May 19 to May 22. The naval chief added that the president also commissioned two locally built ships in 2016 and in 2021 respectively and laid the keel for two more, which would be ready by 2024. “The PFR 2023 is therefore in honour of Buhari, in recognition of his generous contribution to the service and the nation at large. “It involves assemblage of ships and other maritime assets at a designated area for the purpose of demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the state. “The review also provides an avenue for the president to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety and defence within a global collaborative approach,” he said. Garba said that the last PFR was conducted in 2010 in honour of then President Goodluck Jonathan,  and to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. He also noted that the NN had attended many Fleet reviews of other countries with the nation’s Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU. “Also, the NN sent personnel to participate in the Bangladesh Navy Fleet Review in December 2022, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence,” he said. The naval chief said that the PFR-2023 exercise would involve 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft. “Foreign warships from allied nations like Spain, Brazil and Ghana are also set to participate in the exercise. “Other activities lined up for the day include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, defence/maritime expo exhibition, combined naval parade and exercises,” he said. Garba said that the tenure of Buhari marked a period of profound transformation of the NN Fleet. He said that the president demonstrated enormous political will in ensuring the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet, which had become the pride of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). “Therefore, the PFR-2023 is in celebration of Mr President’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s naval assets and capability to project her instruments of maritime power for national prosperity,” Garba said.