We prioritise investment in digital skills to stimulate economic growth – Gombe governor

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has said that his administration prioritise investment in digital skills to empower youth and encourage infrastructure development to spur economic growth.

He stated this at the inauguration of the maiden Gombe Investment Summit on Wednesday in Gombe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is “Industrialisation; the Pathway to Innovation, Transformation and Development of Gombe State.

He said the state must strategically invest in human capital and infrastructural development to be on the path of sustainable progress and long term prosperity.

This, he said, would ensure human capital development to equip the youth with requisite skills, knowledge and expertise to succeed in the rapidly changing digital world.

‘We are working to leverage on digital skills and opportunities to develop Gombe into a regional ICT hub to harness the creative energies of our youth,’’ he said.

According to him, solid and resilient infrastructure is being put in place to serve as catalyst for industrialisation and growth, unlock opportunities and deliver sustainable prosperity to the people.

He said the state occupies eminent place in commerce and industry attracting traders, businesses and enterprises from within and outside Nigeria.

‘Our position is boosted by its strategic location at the center of the North-East sub region and proximity to neighboring countries around the Lake Chad basin.

‘With comparative advantage in agriculture, commerce and abundance of natural resource like limestone, gypsum, uranium, coal, crude oil, kaolin.

‘Gombe also boasts of great potentials in irrigation and hydropower generation through the Dadin-Kowa, Balanga and Cham Dams,’’ he said.

He said that hundreds of investors had indicated interests to operate at the newly established Gombe Industrial Park.

According to him, the state government will, during the summit, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some leading, local and International brands to further demonstrate the success of their efforts.

In his remarks, the state deputy governor, Mr Mannasah Jatau said the summit is designed to showcase the potentials and opportunities that abound to investors and convince them to invest in the state.

Jatau, who is also the Chairman, Gombe Investment Summit Committee, urged the Federal Government, investors and other stakeholders to contribute towards ensuring the success of the summit.

“It is crucial for the progressive change in the lives of residents in Gombe, the North-East geopolitical zone and by implication Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the  Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease of Doing Business, said the state’s rating as first in index of the Ease of Doing Business was not by chance, adding that the feat was achieved through Gov. Yahaya’s purposeful leadership.

She said the ranking was based on merit after considerations of various yardsticks by the private sector.

The presidential aide listed some of the factors to include peaceful nature of the state in the region, waiver of annual ground rent for investors, timely completion of property registration, among others.

Oduwole said regulatory environment and business climate were key to improvement of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation.

She said the state under the leadership of Gov. Yahaya was making efforts to woo investors, adding that, “this is key to boosting revenue and reducing unemployment among the youth”.

She further advised the state government to engage the desired stakeholders in order to succeed.