*Governor Inuwa restates commitment to automating all government operations
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Gombe State has been conferred with the ‘Most Digitally Compliant State’ Award by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The award was presented to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya by the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Dosun Tijjani during a ceremony at the end of the Digital Nigeria Conference 2023, organized by NITDA at the International Conference Center in Abuja.
The Gombe State Governor was represented at the ceremony by Retired Federal Permanent Secretary and member of Gombe State Special Advisory Council, Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu and Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Abdullahi Bappa Garkuwa.
According to a statement signed by the DG (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available on Saturday, receiving the award, Governor Inuwa reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensuring that Gombe State becomes the hub of information technology (IT) and innovation in Nigeria.
The Governor emphasized that digitalization has created a conducive environment for business in the state and outlined plans to further improve internal revenue generation (IGR) and transform Gombe State into Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.
He revealed that his administration aims to automate all government operations within the next four years, citing the successful implementation of the biometric personnel management system in the state civil service.
“Gombe State is poised to lead in the digital revolution and address real-world governance, business, and social challenges through innovative projects”.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, had in a letter conveying the nomination to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, stated that the award was a direct result of Inuwa’s impressive strides in the field of Information Technology.
As reported earlier, the recognition was earned through a series of remarkable initiatives of Governor Inuwa Yahaya- led administration through exceptional policies which encompass a wide range of accomplishments, including reducing Right of Way (RoW) fees, enhancing digital infrastructure development, supplying essential ICT devices to government departments, and implementing automated revenue collection systems.
Also, Gombe State has made strides in digitizing the Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) for improved land management, revolutionizing salary payments through automation, and introducing Biometric Machines to combat truancy and enhance efficiency and productivity among civil servants.
Recall that just recently, Gombe State stood out brilliantly among many Federal establishments and state agencies at the GovTech Digtal Governance Award organized by the Presidency through the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, and received three prestigious awards for its remarkable achievements in advancing digital governance.
During that event, Gombe State Geographic Information System ( GOGIS) received the coveted “Best State in Geographic Information System” Award, Gombe State Due Process Office clinched the best State MDA in innovative Digital Services and Gombe State University ( GSU) was recognized as the best State University in Website Operations.
