Gombe Emir Hails Inuwa’s Livestock Revolution, Economic Transformation

The Emir of Gombe, Alh. (Dr.) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR, has commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration for its investments in livestock development and economic infrastructure in the state.
The Emir gave the commendation during an inspection tour of key livestock and economic development projects being implemented by the Gombe State Government through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.
He inspected the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, including the ongoing ultramodern abattoir, international livestock, grains and timber markets, as well as the inland dry port.
The monarch said the development of the markets was timely, considering population growth and changing economic realities, noting that the grains market in Gombe had existed for about 100 years.
He said while the traditional market had served generations of residents, population growth and expanding economic activities had created the need for modern and purpose-built facilities.
According to him, the integrated markets within the Agro-Livestock Development Zone would help modernise trading, simplify economic activities and create new opportunities for the people.
The Emir particularly commended the ultramodern abattoir, saying processing livestock and agricultural products within the northern region was consistent with the long-standing vision of promoting value addition and balanced economic exchange between the North and other parts of the country.
He lamented the economic losses associated with transporting live animals from Gombe to distant markets under poor conditions, stressing that the new facilities would enable the state to process livestock locally and retain more value within the state.
He also commended the inclusion of grains and livestock feed markets, timber market and inland dry port within the development zone, saying the clustering of the facilities would strengthen commerce, processing, trade and export opportunities.
The monarch described the proposed dairy development programme, including milk collection centres, artificial insemination and a proposed dairy processing factory, as a significant intervention capable of transforming livestock production and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
He expressed particular excitement over the proposed dairy factory to be established around the Game Axis along the Kwami-Funakaye border.
“I am the happiest person with these developments for having all these in Gombe State in our time,” he said.
The Emir also commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the Gombe L-PRES Project for what he described as “gigantic developments,” expressing optimism that the projects would generate employment, improve incomes and raise the standard of living of citizens.
He subsequently inspected the proposed site for the dairy processing factory and the Artificial Insemination and Breed Multiplication Centre at Gombe State University.
The Emir was briefed on efforts to improve livestock genetics and productivity through the centre.
Responding, the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar, thanked the Emir for visiting the project sites and endorsing the interventions.
Prof. Abubakar attributed the progress recorded in the state’s livestock sector to the vision, guidance and commitment of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to transforming agriculture and livestock into major drivers of economic development.
He explained that the interventions were designed as interconnected components of a broader livestock value-chain development strategy covering improved breeding, production, collection, processing, marketing and export.
According to him, the Emir’s visit provided an opportunity for the royal institution to gain firsthand insight into the scale and scope of the investments being made to reposition the livestock sector and strengthen the state’s economic base.