By Our Correspondent

The Management of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) has formally commended the Area Manager of the Dadin Kowa Area Office, Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani Bello, Sarkin Shanun Yamaltu and Sarkin Dajin Akko, for his exceptional leadership and commitment to improving service delivery within the Authority.

The commendation was conveyed in an official letter dated June 22, 2026, and signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBRBDA, in recognition of the significant achievements recorded by the Dadin Kowa Area Office under Dr. Bello’s leadership.

According to the Authority, the Area Office has recently intensified efforts aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration, enhancing the capacity of farmers and staff, improving operational efficiency, and promoting effective stakeholder engagement across the irrigation scheme and beyond.

Reacting to the recognition, Dr. Bello expressed profound appreciation to the Managing Director, the management of UBRBDA, and the Authority for the honour bestowed upon him and the entire Dadin Kowa Area Office.

He described the commendation as a strong source of motivation, saying that recognizing outstanding performance inspires greater commitment to public service and excellence.

“Recognizing an employee for outstanding performance is a powerful motivation to do even more in service delivery. This commendation will further inspire me to redouble my efforts towards achieving greater results for the Authority and the communities we serve,” he said.

The Area Manager dedicated the recognition to members of staff of the Dadin Kowa Area Office, acknowledging their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts in ensuring the smooth operation of the office.

He commended staff for their unwavering support and encouraged them to remain committed to excellence, adding that the Area Office plans to introduce an internal staff recognition system to reward exceptional performance and outstanding service delivery.

“I dedicate this commendation to all members of staff of the Area Office, particularly those who work tirelessly day and night to ensure the smooth operation of our activities. I encourage us all to remain dedicated and committed to excellence. In due course, the Area Office will also establish a system for identifying and recognizing outstanding staff for exceptional performance and service delivery,” he added.

The recognition is seen as a testament to the Authority’s commitment to promoting excellence, innovation, teamwork, and dedication among its workforce, while encouraging improved performance in delivering quality services to farmers and communities within the irrigation scheme.

The statement was issued by the Public Relations Unit of UBRBDA, Dadin Kowa Area Office, Gombe State.

By Our Security Reporter

The leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has been commended over the introduction of the Forest Guard initiative aimed at tackling insecurity.

Honourable Abbas Umar Nabingi, an APC chieftain from Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, gave the commendation while speaking to journalists in Gombe.

He described the Forest Guard programme as a timely intervention that will strengthen security, particularly in border communities and forest areas prone to criminal activities.

The initiative, which covers five states — Osun, Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi, and Gombe — is designed to recruit and train local hunters and vigilante members to complement conventional security agencies.

Honourable Nabingi also expressed appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Ahmad Jarman Deba, for their commitment to improving security across the state and the nation.

Screening of applicants is currently ongoing at the Police Mobile Force base along Kwami Road in Gombe. The exercise, which began on Monday, February 23, 2026, is expected to end on Friday, February 27, 2026.

According to Nabingi, about 650 applicants will be selected strictly on merit from across the 11 Local Government Areas of Gombe State. Successful candidates will undergo a two-month intensive training in Osun State before being deployed back to Gombe to commence duties.

He explained that the Forest Guards will work in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to safeguard towns and villages across the 114 political wards of the state.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Mamuda Sulaiman Kuri and Aishatu Meli from Yamaltu-Deba, Josephine Galadima Audi from Kaltungo, as well as Yakon Yunusa and Rejoice Joshua from Billiri Local Government Area, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the National Security Adviser, and DCP Muhammad Ahmad Jarman Deba.

They described the programme as an opportunity to serve their communities while contributing to efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability.

The Forest Guard initiative is expected to boost grassroots security and enhance coordination among local and formal security structures in Gombe State.

By Our Correspondent

The leadership of the Gombe State Students Association (GOSSA) has expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for approving the payment of 6,000 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration forms for indigent students across the state.

In a statement issued on behalf of the association, the National President of GOSSA, Comrade Muhammad Al-Amin Bako, who also serves as Senior Adviser to the Governor on Student Affairs representing Gombe North, described the gesture as a “lifeline” for thousands of families struggling to support their children’s educational ambitions.

Al-Amin commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his sustained investment in the education sector across the 11 Local Government Areas of the state, noting that the free JAMB forms would significantly ease the financial burden on parents and encourage more students to pursue higher education.

According to him, the intervention reflects the governor’s commitment to human capital development and his administration’s determination to make education accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

“This initiative is not just about paying examination fees; it is about securing the future of Gombe youths. It demonstrates His Excellency’s passion for education and his desire to see our young people succeed,” Al-Amin stated.

He further noted that beneficiaries were carefully selected to ensure that the support reaches students who genuinely need assistance, especially those from less privileged backgrounds across Gombe North, Central, and South Senatorial Districts.

The GOSSA president reaffirmed the association’s continued support for policies and programmes that promote educational advancement and youth empowerment in the state.

Stakeholders in the education sector have also lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, particularly at a period when many families face economic challenges.

Observers say the governor’s consistent focus on educational development — including infrastructural upgrades, improved learning environments, and student support schemes — is gradually repositioning Gombe State as a model for educational growth in the North-East.

With the sponsorship of 6,000 JAMB forms, many prospective candidates in Gombe State now have renewed hope of gaining admission into tertiary institutions and achieving their academic dreams.