Sallah Homage: Governor Yahaya Receives Emir Of Gombe
By Rebecca Mu’azu, Gombe
The Governor of Gombe State Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has received the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, on the traditional Sallah homage, at the Government House, Gombe.
The annual Sallah homage to the Government House is an age-old tradition led by the Emir and accompanied by district heads and traditional council members usually adorned in colourful royal garments that bring a touch of splendour and drawing thousands of spectators from across the state.
Receiving the Emir at the Government House, Governor Yahaya said his administration would continue to prioritize initiatives that would stimulate economic growth, foster developmental strides and guarantee the well-being of the people.
The Governor expressed gratitude to God for guiding Muslims through the sacred month of Ramadan which culminated in the Eid al-Fitr festival.
He urged both Muslims and Christians in the state to continue to uphold the peace and harmony advocated by both faiths.
Governor Yahaya said his administration would continue to seek the support, cooperation, and wise counsel of traditional rulers and opinion leaders in providing the desirable leadership to lead the state in the most effective, efficient and fair manner.
Governor Yahaya said despite the financial challenges in the state, his administration had made significant strides across all sectors of development.
He highlighted the effective leadership and ongoing reforms which have earned Gombe numerous recognitions, notably the recent AAA ranking on the socio-economic development index in Nigeria.
He equally thanked the traditional institutions in the State for their role in ensuring peace and tranquillity in their various communities and subsequently, in Gombe State.
Legacy projects
The Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar lll, said he led the retinue of his district heads, emirate council members and traditional title holders to the Government House to felicitate with the governor and through him the entire people of Gombe State, for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and to pay him homage on the occasion of the Eid Al-Fitr Sallah celebration.
He paid glowing tributes to Governor Yahaya for his holistic approach in addressing the myriad of challenges in the state and for his pragmatic leadership, which he said had led to the execution of life-changing projects such as the multi-billion naira Muhammadu Industrial Park.
According to the Emir, the industrial park was a legacy project that Gombe and its people would continue to benefit from for centuries to come.
The Emir of Gombe also scored the Governor high in the areas of Healthcare revitalization, repositioning of the education sector; especially the construction of the ultra-modern school in Kumbiya- Kumbiya, the establishment of five legacy schools across the State, as well as the mopping up of thousands of out-of-school children and returning them to the classrooms.
He, however, urged the people of Gombe State to continue to be peaceful and keep supporting the government and the traditional institutions in ensuring improved peace and security in the state, saying the progress and developments that Gombe is witnessing are as a result of the peace being enjoyed in the state.
The Emir later led thousands of Horsemen clad in colourful robes and staged a spectacular durbar to the admiration of the Governor and other dignitaries present.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of the traditional Sallah gift to the Emir by Governor Yahaya.
Emmanuel Ukoh
