By: TOM GARBA
Gombi Local Government Area is one of the 21 local government areas in Adamawa State. It is situated in the central zone of the state.
Since the defunct Gongola State to now Adamawa State, Gombi Local Government Area has been one of the areas that is cosmopolitan in terms of having tribes from all over Nigeria domiciled there.
Tribes such as the Bura who are predominantly in Garkida, a Missionary based area of Ekklisiyan Yan’uwa A Nigeria (EYN), Hona, Ngoƃa, Gaanda and Lala are the indigenous tribe of the local government. There
are also huge numbers of other tribes such as Fulbe, Hausa, Kilba, Margi, Kanuri, Chibok e.t.c.
It might interest one to know that the seemingly silent local government have produced great women of international
recognition and achievements in many field of endeavors.
These women of Gombi origin have since the days of Gongola state made names to themselves and the state at large.
Mrs. Wahir D. A. Mshelia. FCCA; FCA; MBA. A professional accountant of International standard, is a Woman who is doing great things from Gombi and has indelible records of achievements.
Wahir due to her outstanding performance in the field of accounting was recommended to be appointed as the First Female Deputy Governor of the CBN.
This prolific accountant got trained in London as a Professional Certified, Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, (FCCA). This made her the First Female Certified, Chartered Accountant in Northern Nigeria.
She Worked in Borno State in various capacities; such as, Senior Accountant to Chief Accountant. Worked at the University of Maiduguri as Acting Bursar from Deputy Bursar. And later appointed Member of the Borno State Executive Council as Honourable Commissioner in charge of Ministry of Social Development, Women Affairs, and Sports.
Was reappointed as Member of the Borno State Executive Council as Honorable Commissioner for a second tenure in charge of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.
Worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria as Senior Manager, then as the Director of the Internal Audit Department
Adamawa State first female professor came from this Local Government, She is Zainab Alkali, first female professor in
Gongola state, a Professor of English and First female novelist in Northern Nigeria hail from Garkida village in Gombi Local Government Area. She is currently working with Nassarawa State University Keffi.
The First female medical Doctor in Northern Nigeria is also from Gombi, Dr Uratu Yerima Balla, a surgeon by training She studied in Germany and Switzerland.
First Female Professor of Economics from Adamawa State is Prof Ummu Jalingo. Prof. Ummu holds sway in econometrics, currently in Bayero University. She is also a non-executive Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
It might interest one to also know that Amb Fatima Balla Abubakar was the First Female Chief information officer in
Gongola state, First Female Permanent Secretary and the First Female to get traditional title from Adamawa Emirate. As Chief Information Officer Amb Balla established and edited the weekly scope Newspaper which is still the only newspaper in Adamawa state. Amb. Balla is an epoch politician and a Veteran Journalist, a nationalist whose records of achievements earned her the OON National honour recently awarded to her by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Gombi Local Government has equally produced first female Navy General in the whole of Northern Nigeria, Rear Admiral Jamila Sadiq Malafa who is Hona by tribe from Guyaku village of Gombi LGA is no doubt a woman of great strength, hard work and achievement.
The first female senior police officer is Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar Baju, A veterinary Doctor by training, also hails from Gombi LGA.
The Woman Lioness and the renown Fearless Hunter who fought and killed many Boko Haram fighters is from Gombi.
Hajiya Aishatu Bakari Gombi has proved to the world that African women are brave and can dare every lion king in the jungle by fighting the deadly Boko Haram insurgents in the North East of Nigeria. Hajiya Aishatu is currently a senior adviser on security to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state.
DCI Larai Adamu Yadiya is Nigerian immigration senior officer presently serving in Italy. She is Hona by tribe and the first in the North East to attain such a rank.
These women of Gombi origin have inarguably made history by being first in the most unique professions not just in Adamawa State but in Northern Nigeria as well.
Gombi is a hidden jewel in the Savannah of Northern Nigeria that little has been known about it but houses the most distinguished women of Adamawa state.
If there are these great Women in Adamawa State, one can imagine the great Men in each of the 21 Local Government areas. No wonder the state is known with producing great academics, producing politicians of great reputation and Business Men and Women.
For Navy Malafa, Ambassador Fati, DIG Aisha, Dr Balla, Prof Ummu and Prof Zainab, Wahir ,and Larai got the statement that :” What a Man can do, a Woman can do it even better. “
These women are few among many others across the 21 local government who are doing well in their respective field or career.
Tom Garba (B.Tech, MA. FIMC, FBDFM, SPSP) is a journalist, political analyst, and an opinion writer. He writes from Yola-Adamawa State. He can be reached through these means:
tomgarba7@gmail.com
08172570959
