Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has led a delegation of the Gombe State Government on a condolence visit to the family of former Governor, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, following the death of their daughter, Hajiya Jummai Danjuma Goje, who passed away recently in Abuja after a brief illness.

The Governor visited Senator Goje’s residence in Pantami, accompanied by the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Lugerewo, members of the State Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other senior government officials.

In an earlier statement, Governor Inuwa Yahaya had described the death of Hajiya Jummai as a deeply painful loss, not only to the Goje family but also to all who knew her and benefitted from her warmth and kindness.

During the visit, special prayers were offered for the repose of her soul, with supplications to Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings, accept her good deeds and grant her Aljannat Firdaus.

In a related development, Governor Inuwa Yahaya also paid a condolence visit to Dr. Mahmood Yusuf, Director General of the Joint Project Development Agency, who recently lost his wife, Zainab, after a brief illness.

While offering his sympathies at the residence of the bereaved, the Governor described the loss of a spouse as a profoundly traumatic experience, and urged Dr. Yusuf and his family to find strength and solace in the will of Almighty Allah.

He prayed for divine mercy upon the departed soul and for her to be granted eternal rest in Aljannat Firdaus.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has condoled with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda over the demise of his beloved mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda, who died on Sunday in Jos at the age of 83.

The Chairman of the NSGF and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, conveyed the message on behalf of his fellow Northern Governors, describing the passing of the octogenarian as a deeply painful loss.

He eulogized Mama Lydia as a devout Christian, a strong family matriarch and a respected community leader who dedicated her life to nurturing her family and serving her community with humility and compassion.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that the death of a mother, regardless of age, is always profoundly difficult, especially given the irreplaceable role a mother plays in offering prayers, wisdom and emotional strength to her children.

“There is no doubt that Mama Lydia’s death is a great loss to the Yilwatda family. Her departure comes at a time when her motherly counsel and prayers were most needed, particularly by our dear National Chairman, Professor Nentawe, who has recently taken on a significant national responsibility,” he stated.

The NSGF Chairman prayed for the peaceful repose of Mama’s soul and for Almighty God to comfort Professor Yilwatda and the entire family during this moment of grief.

The Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bello Muhammed Goronyo, on Monday visited the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja, following the recent boat mishap in Sokoto State.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Goronyo Local Government Area, claiming several lives and displacing many families. The visit also addressed broader flood-related challenges currently affecting the state.

During the meeting, NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, assured the Minister that rescue operations in Goronyo would be sustained and intensified. She reiterated the agency’s commitment to disaster preparedness and coordinated response efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding nationwide.

Alhaji Goronyo commended NEMA for its swift intervention in Sokoto and other disaster-hit areas. He urged the agency to consolidate on its achievements in strengthening Nigeria’s disaster management system.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 15 additional persons have been rescued in ongoing operations following the boat mishap that occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

This brings the total number of survivors to 25, while 25 others remain missing. NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, assured that search and rescue efforts would continue until all missing passengers are accounted for.

The incident involved a canoe carrying more than 50 passengers traveling to Goronyo Market, which capsized in Kojiyo village. Initial rescue operations saved 10 persons, while intensified efforts later brought another 15 to safety. Seven motorcycles have also been recovered from the river.

To aid the rescue mission, the management of Goronyo Dam has shut down operations for two days, creating better access for divers and emergency workers.

NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, led by Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, is coordinating the operation in collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers.

Mrs. Umar reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to saving lives, supporting affected families, and keeping the public informed on developments.

……As GBB Commits to Enhanced Service Delivery

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has issued a circular reinforcing its commitment to leveraging the substantial investment in the National Information Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) for the benefit of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

According to a press release signed by the Galaxy Backbone Limited Head, Corporate Communications, Chidi Okpala, this directive, in line with the Nigeria First Policy, endorses the use of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) as the designated provider of ICT infrastructure for Federal Government Institutions, covering IP-network services, data centre hosting, and related infrastructure solutions.

GBB was established by the Federal Government with the core responsibility of ensuring data sovereignty through a centralized e-government platform that offers secure connectivity and related ICT services. Over the years, the organization has consistently invested in upgrading its capacity, achieving multiple international certifications and recertifications that position it as a provider of world-class, secure, and reliable technology services.

With this renewed endorsement, GBB is also officially positioned as the Government Data Exchange Platform and the interoperability layer for the nation’s Digital Public Infrastructure implementation, reinforcing its role as the body that coordinates, manages, and integrates all federal digital infrastructure and services, ensuring they comply with Nigeria’s data sovereignty goals and work harmoniously as part of the nation’s digital public Infrastructure.

While this directive ensures compliance with the Nigeria First Policy, GBB emphasizes that its mission is to deliver excellence through building trust and collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDA). Federal Government Institutions currently hosting data abroad are encouraged to migrate to GBB’s secure platforms, confident in the assurance of improved service delivery, enhanced security, and alignment with global best practices.

“We have repositioned our organisation in such a way that the MDAs experience the quality, reliability, and innovation of our services and they can see in us as a partner in their digital transformation journey,” said Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO, GBB. He further reiterated; “Our pledge is to listen, collaborate, and provide tailored digital infrastructure solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency, while ensuring Nigeria’s data remains safe within our borders.”

GBB’s commitment is rooted in service excellence, security, and innovation; principles backed by its ISO certifications and global standard operating frameworks. This renewed collaboration between GBB and MDAs is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and contribute directly to national economic growth.

About Galaxy Backbone Limited

Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government of Nigeria’s ICT service provider, delivering secure and reliable digital infrastructure services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Established to promote data sovereignty, connectivity, and innovation, GBB supports Nigeria’s vision for a digitally empowered government and economy.
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