Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to making the state a hub for Information Technology (IT) and innovation in Nigeria.
The Governor stressed that the process of digitalization has created a conducive environment for businesses in the state and outlined plans to enhance internal revenue generation (IGR) while transforming Gombe State into Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.
He disclosed that his administration’s goal is to automate all government operations within the next four years, citing the successful implementation of the biometric personnel management system in the state’s civil service.
In his words, “Gombe State is poised to lead in the digital revolution, addressing real-world governance, business, and social challenges through innovative projects.”
The Governor made these remarks while the state received the ‘Most Digitally Compliant State’ Award from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The award was presented to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya by Dr Dosun Tijjani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, during a ceremony held at the International Conference Center in Abuja at the conclusion of the Digital Nigeria Conference 2023, organized by NITDA.
At the ceremony, the Governor was represented by the Retired Federal Permanent Secretary and member of the Gombe State Special Advisory Council, Dr Ibrahim Jalo Daudu, and Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Abdullahi Bappa Garkuwa.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, had previously conveyed the nomination to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in a letter, stating that the award was a direct result of Inuwa’s impressive strides in the field of Information Technology.
As reported earlier, this recognition was earned through a series of remarkable initiatives by Governor Inuwa Yahaya-led administration, including reducing Right of Way (RoW) fees, enhancing digital infrastructure development, supplying essential ICT devices to government departments, and implementing automated revenue collection systems.
Additionally, Gombe State has made substantial progress in digitizing the Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) for improved land management, revolutionising salary payments through automation, and introducing Biometric Machines to combat truancy and enhance efficiency and productivity among civil servants.
It is worth noting that Gombe State stood out significantly among many federal establishments and state agencies at the GovTech Digital Governance Award organised by the Presidency through the Bureau for Public Service Reforms. The state received three prestigious awards for its remarkable achievements in advancing digital governance.
During that event, Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS) received the coveted “Best State in Geographic Information System” Award. The Gombe State Due Process Office was recognized as the best State MDA in innovative Digital Services, and Gombe State University (GSU) received the title of the best State University in Website Operations. This information was provided in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, DG (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
. TheWitness
