Gombe: Goje’s Midas Touch

Governor Mohammad Danjuma Goje of Gombe State

Governor Mohammad Danjuma Goje appoints an Igbo as his Special Assistant on Special Duties, thereby carving a niche for himself on the minds of Igbos and other non-indigenes resident in the state
By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Gombe
Most Nigerians who lived during the Nigerian Civil War which lasted between 1967 and 1970 have never ceased to recall the fierce battle with some trepidation. And each time the story is told, sometimes with utmost exactitude, shivers always run down the spines of many who seem ready to sacrifice just about anything to get peace. Though there seems, still, the vestiges of the adjudged factors that triggered the 30-month bloody crisis such as ethnicism, religious intolerance and nepotism amongst others, fact is that they are not as conspicuous as they were in the pre and post-Independence Nigeria. If anything, Nigerians appear to be fast appreciating their differences– both tribal and religious– thereby watering the grounds for the much desired unity and growth of the nation.
From Abia State in the Eastern heartland, to the ancient, densely populated state of Kano in the highly Islamised North-west geo-political zone of the country, down to the multi-racial and religious North-east state of Gombe, concerted efforts are being made by the leaders, either previous or current since the return of democracy in 1999, to promote peaceful co- existence amongst the diverse people that inhabit their areas.
For example, during his tenure as a two-term governor of Abia State , a purely Christian State, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu allocated and built a Mosque for the Muslims in the state. He also appointed a Muslim into his cabinet. Emulating him, the then Governor of Kano State , Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, championed peace in the hitherto crises-ridden Kano. That brought peace all through his tenure. Many, in fact, believe that that was one unassailable feat that later earned him a place in the then President Obasanjo’s government as a Minister. As if there would have been a policy downturn after his exit, his successor, a Muslim too, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau consolidated on the peace deal of the state, changing the mentality and orientation of the people. So far, Kano has departed from a war-torn zone to a peaceful home for all, regardless of tribe and religion. This, Shekarau further demonstrated when he appointed three non-indigenes as Special Advisers, of which an Igbo man of Christian faith, Chief Chris Azuka got the portfolio of Special Assistant on Inter-Community Relations.
Like Abia and Kano states, Gombe is not an exception. It has in recent times weathered the storms of religious and ethnic woes. In the last 11years, a litany of crises, most of them having religious trappings, had engulfed states around Gombe. But each time it erupts, it never gets to Gombe. For instance, the neighbouring states of Platuea and Bauchi– and until recently the Boko Haram issues in Borno and Yobe States– have incessantly had their own ugly share of this unhealthy development. But Gombe indigenes and residents have never had cause to raise an eyelid in fear. This is where many say that the Governor, Alhaji Mohammad Dajuma Goje, has blossomed. The state so much prioritises the need for peaceful co-habitation amongst the most pronounced faiths of Christianity and Islam.  Again, while the governor made funds available for the building of a central mosque in Gombe, he also gave money to construct a befitting secretariat for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe. Also, unlike the popular Muslim/Muslim or Chritain/Christain ticket, Gombe runs a Muslim/Christian ticket and Goje in the last seven years has had a trusted person in his deputy, Dr. John Lazarus Yoriyo, that the duo have never had a face-off known to the public. Many are of the view that this is a rarity in some other states. Perhaps, for this and other reasons, Goje, a full- blooded Muslim was honoured with a prestigious award from the Youth Wing of CAN in Abuja last year.
Goje: “We maintain peace here. I received an award from the Christian community and this is the first time a Christian organisation will be giving an award to a Muslim, and they honoured me and the attendance was excellent. General Gowon, Chief Solomon Lar, and W. F. Kumuyi, General Overseer Deeper Life Bible Church, were all there. The leaders of various denominations were there in Abuja when they honoured me. That was because we are peaceful. Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, once you are a citizen of Gombe state , I have sworn by the Qur’an to protect you and promote your interest. And this is what we have done in the last seven years. We had crises in Jos. Was it not shown on CNN? Will there be progress if there is insecurity? There was Boko Haram in Yobe; Boko Haram in Bauchi and in Borno. We are at the centre, but it never got to us.”
Another strategy which, perhaps, has helped Goje in his peace pursuits is the inclusion of non-indigenes in his government.  Though portfolios had been assigned to some non-indigenes before now, that of Ben Ngwakwe, a journalist and citizen of Isiala Ngwa in Abia state as Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Governor is one appointment that has attracted applauses and commendations from the Igbo community in Gombe. In fact, The Source leant that little did anyone know about the development until the governor appointed Ngwakwe. The occasion which was a courtesy call on the governor by members of the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Gombe State Chapter last month, turned out a happy outing for the entire Igbo residents in the state. With this development, the Igbo in Gombe, and in fact, other residents in the state have really come to terms with the magnanimity and detribalised nature of Governor Goje.
Former President-General of the Association, Felix Barrah, a medical doctor resident in Gombe said: “That appointment by His Excellency was a surprise to everybody really. We came for other things and His Excellency announced it. He called him (Ngwakwe) by name, and that to me was a personal recognition of his person. His Excellency has given other communities SA’s (Special Assistants), and PA’s (Personal Assistants) but not in the manner his own (Ngwakwe’s) appointment came. Of course, it is not because I’m in Gombe, His Excellency has been working. You can see the state yourself. If you were in this state some 10 years ago and you were just coming back, I can tell you, you will need a guide to take you to places you knew in the past because you won’t recognise them. A lot of changes have been brought to Gombe state …Other governors should emulate Goje”.
Another former President-General of the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Chief Fredrick Madubuko, also commended Governor Goje over Ngwakwe’s appointment.
“In the first place, Governor Goje has done the best thing I ever thought of. Ben Ngwakwe has been in the service of this state for a long time. When he was with the Vanguard newspapers and the way he is handling the things of the government, I think the appointment is in order. Goje has done the best thing he can do and that shows he is a man of the people,” Madubuko said.
Just as the encomiums are raining on Governor Goje for this singular honour to the Igbo in Gombe, not a few persons are of the view that governors, especially from states that have seen more crises than physical development should try to emulate Goje’s strategies.