By Ismaila Uba Misilli
The recent inauguration of a new Gombe State Executive Council by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON signals the beginning of a critical phase in the life of an administration that has transformed Gombe State over the past seven years and is now focused on consolidating those gains before the expiration of its tenure.
The task before the new cabinet, as stressed by the Governor, is enormous, but so too is the opportunity. This is the time to consolidate, innovate and deliver.
Every decision, every policy and every intervention must move Gombe State closer to its aspiration of becoming one of Nigeria’s most prosperous, inclusive and forward-looking states as envisioned by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The Governor has left no one in doubt about his expectations. Speaking during the swearing-in of 23 Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers, the Head of Civil Service and a Permanent Secretary, he delivered a clear and unmistakable message: there is no honeymoon period in governance; there is only the responsibility to perform.
That message was reinforced during his maiden interactive session with the newly inaugurated commissioners, where he charged them to hit the ground running, work in close synergy, recover lost ground where necessary, remain focused on the administration’s development agenda and resist every form of distraction.
With less than a year remaining in the administration’s second term, every day matters. Every ministry must become a centre of innovation, execution and measurable impact.
Demonstrating strategic foresight, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has also restructured government to respond to emerging realities. The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, positions Gombe to harness the vast economic opportunities in the livestock value chain.
Similarly, the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction reflects a deliberate commitment to addressing social vulnerability, strengthening safety nets and improving the welfare of the most disadvantaged members of society.
Although many of the commissioners are returning members of the cabinet, they are entering a new phase with renewed responsibilities. They inherit an administration that has built a strong foundation through prudent financial management, strategic planning and disciplined execution.
Under Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership, Gombe State has recorded remarkable progress in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, environmental sustainability, investment promotion, rural electrification and public financial management, among others.
These achievements have earned the state national and international recognition for transparency, fiscal discipline, healthcare reforms, environmental stewardship and ease of doing business.
But governance is a continuum.Yesterday’s achievements cannot become today’s resting place. The real challenge before the Executive Council is not merely to preserve these gains but to accelerate them, ensuring that every policy and every project translates into tangible improvements in the lives of the people.
This explains why the Governor placed such strong emphasis on synergy. Modern governance demands collaboration. Ministries, departments and agencies must work as one coordinated team rather than isolated institutions. Development challenges are interconnected, and sustainable solutions require integrated planning, seamless coordination and shared responsibility.
Equally significant is the Governor’s insistence on discipline, accountability and dedication. Public office is a sacred trust, not a privilege. Every commissioner has been charged to demonstrate integrity in the management of public resources, transparency in decision-making and responsiveness to the needs of the people. In the end, citizens will judge government not by speeches but by visible results.
As always pointed out by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the expectations of the people of Gombe are high. They expect better roads, quality healthcare, improved schools, expanded access to potable water, reliable electricity, increased agricultural productivity, more employment opportunities, stronger security and an economy that creates prosperity for all. Above all, they expect a government that listens, responds and delivers.
Meeting these expectations requires leadership that is accessible, proactive and solution-oriented. Commissioners must remain connected to the people, engage stakeholders regularly, monitor projects closely, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure that every ministry operates with clearly defined targets, measurable outcomes and a culture of performance.
The pledges by the commissioners to remain loyal, united and committed to Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s vision are reassuring. Yet, loyalty in public service finds its highest expression in performance. The confidence reposed in them by the Governor can only be justified through hard work, innovation, integrity and measurable service delivery.
As the administration enters this decisive phase, the Executive Council has a rare opportunity to help shape an enduring legacy.
History is seldom kind to governments that merely manage time. It remembers those that maximize it. For the new Executive Council, the mandate is clear: consolidate the gains, accelerate development, deepen reforms and finish strong. The time to deliver is now.
It is known fact, that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has provided the vision, established the direction and created the enabling environment. The responsibility now rests squarely on the shoulders of the Executive Council to translate that vision into even greater achievements.
Misilli is Director-General ( Press Affairs), Government House Gombe.