Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has praised the Gombe State Government for its groundbreaking health sector reforms, describing the state’s approach as both innovative and inspiring.
In a personal letter sent through the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth) and the CEO of Human Capital Managers Nigeria Limited, Gates commended Gombe’s commitment to sustainable health development following a recent high-level meeting in Abuja.
“I was impressed by Gombe’s problem-solving mindset and commitment to achieving results,” Gates wrote.
According to a statement from the Governor’s Director-General of Press Affairs, Isma’ila Uba Misilli, Gates lauded the state’s emphasis on stakeholder engagement, strong governance, and practical strategies, noting that they provide a model for others to emulate.
One innovation Gates highlighted was the state’s Human Resource for Health (HRH) biometric attendance platform—a digital tool that enhances staff accountability, monitors attendance, and supports data-driven resource allocation. He described it as “a compelling example of a state-led initiative to improve data availability for decision-making.”
Gates also commended the detailed presentation delivered by the Gombe health team in Abuja, stressing: “Your leadership and innovation are remarkable. I look forward to following your progress closely.”
Through GoHealth and other agencies, Gombe continues to strengthen partnerships with local and international organizations to expand healthcare delivery and promote inclusive growth.
About the author
NAF boosts national security with 111 new special forces operators
https://punchng.com/naf-strengthens-national-security-with-111-new-special-forces-operators The Nigerian Air Force has graduated 111 new special forces operators to strengthen national security operations across the country. The personnel completed Special Forces Course 13/2026 at the Nigerian Air Force Regiment Training Centre in Jos, Plateau State. The course focused on advanced skills needed for counter terrorism, counter insurgency, and other high risk operations. According to the Air Force, the graduation marks another milestone in efforts to build a robust pool of elite forces capable of responding swiftly to emerging security threats. The new operators received intensive training in weapons handling, small unit tactics, assault operations, intelligence driven missions, and survival skills in hostile environments. The Chief of Air Staff, represented at the event, charged the graduands to maintain high levels of discipline, professionalism, and dedication as they join ongoing operations in different theatres nationwide. He noted that […]
SERAP demands N110bn refund for luxury cars and unlawful allowances
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas refund N110 billion to the public treasury after a Federal High Court in Lagos declared the National Assembly's spending on luxury SUVs and unlawful allowances illegal. The court ruling on the 5th of May came in a suit SERAP filed in 2023, challenging the 10th Assembly's plan to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars and N70 billion as holiday allowances for new lawmakers. Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court held that the N110 billion spend violated section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and lawmakers' constitutional oath of office. The judgment found that the spending breached the principle that public funds must be used judiciously, especially at a time when […]
Army confirms intel on Turji weapons training in Sokoto
The Nigerian Army has confirmed intelligence reports that loyalists of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji are undergoing weapons training and tactical exercises in parts of eastern Sokoto State, raising fresh security concerns in the Sokoto–Zamfara border corridor. According to the intelligence report, the gathering is taking place in areas stretching from Bingabale Kudu through Bafarawa East to Bargaja, where fighters linked to Turji are reportedly conducting military-style drills using newly acquired weapons. Altine International Security咨询公司 (Altine International Security Consulting) disclosed that intelligence reaching the organisation indicated the fighters were receiving training on the use of sophisticated weapons recently introduced into the area. "Our findings suggest that these fighters are currently engaged in weapons training and tactical exercises using newly acquired arms, including some of the same sophisticated weapons reportedly deployed during recent confrontations with security forces," Altine said. Altine further […]
INEC declares Oyebanji winner of Ekiti governorship poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the Ekiti State governorship election held on Saturday, securing a second term in office. According to the final results announced by the state returning officer, Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes across all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. His closest rivals trailed by significant margins, confirming what the APC has described as a “clean sweep” at the polls. The declaration was made in the early hours of Sunday at the state collation centre after INEC officials concluded the collation and verification of results from the various local government areas. The exercise followed the close of voting and counting at polling units across the state on Saturday. Oyebanji’s victory confirms continued control of Ekiti State by the APC, four years […]
Japan raises visa fees for Nigerians and other foreigners by 400%
Japan has sharply increased visa application fees for Nigerians and other foreign nationals, raising costs by up to 400 percent for several categories of visas. According to Japan’s revised tariff, the standard single‑entry visa fee has risen from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen for most foreign applicants, including Nigerians. This represents a fivefold increase in the amount payable per application. Multiple‑entry and double‑entry visas have also recorded significant hikes, with fees moving from about 6,000 yen to considerably higher levels under the new structure. Transit visas, which previously attracted a lower charge, now come with increased costs as well, although they remain cheaper than single‑entry visas. In addition to the higher visa fees, applicants using visa application centres will continue to pay separate service charges and, in some locations, courier fees for document transfer between Lagos, Abuja, and the embassy. […]
Ghana actor Van Vicker earns first class law degree from Wisconsin University
Award-winning Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Joseph Van Vicker has earned a first class Bachelor of Laws degree from Wisconsin International University College in Ghana. Sharing the achievement on Instagram on June 19, 2026, Van Vicker reflected on the significance of graduating with first class honours. He noted that academic success alone does not guarantee professional excellence in the legal field. Van Vicker is a celebrated figure in African cinema and television. He previously earned a first class degree from the African University College of Communication for his undergraduate studies. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy degree at the University of Education, Winneba. The actor enrolled at Wisconsin International University College to study the Bachelor of Laws program after completing his first degree. He has been active in the entertainment industry for many years, producing films and television […]
Related
Ghana pushes for concrete slavery reparations after UN slavery vote
Ghana is ramping up its push for concrete slavery reparations after successfully spearheading a landmark United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as one of history’s gravest crimes against humanity. In March 2026, Ghana led 123 UN member states to adopt a resolution that declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity and described calls for reparations as a “concrete step towards remedy” for historical wrongs. The resolution urges formal apologies from states and institutions that profited from slavery, as well as discussions on reparations that could include direct financial compensation, development support and the return of looted African cultural property. Building on the UN vote, Ghana will host a major global conference on reparatory justice in Accra from June 17 to 19, aimed at “charting the next phase of the global reparations agenda” and turning broad […]
Le Togo teste sa réponse aux catastrophes majeures
Le Togo intensifie ses efforts en matière de gestion des catastrophes et de protection civile face à la montée des risques climatiques, sanitaires et technologiques. Dans cette dynamique, le gouvernement a lancé à Afagnan, dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono, l'exercice national de simulation multirisque baptisé « Mia Dzrado 2026 », sous la coordination de l'Agence nationale de la protection civile (ANPC). Prévu du 8 au 18 juin 2026, cet exercice grandeur nature a pour objectif d'évaluer les capacités opérationnelles du dispositif national de gestion des urgences et de renforcer la coordination entre les différentes structures impliquées dans la réponse aux catastrophes. Plusieurs scénarios de crise sont simulés au cours de l'opération. Il s'agit notamment d'inondations, de mouvements de populations, d'épidémies de choléra, d'accidents de la circulation, de chavirements d'embarcations, d'incendies, de déversements de produits chimiques ainsi que d'incidents liés à […]
Lomé accueille un atelier sur la libre circulation
Lomé accueille depuis le jeudi 28 mai 2026 un atelier technique consacré aux acteurs intervenant aux frontières de l’espace communautaire ouest-africain. La rencontre réunit notamment des transporteurs, des transitaires, des commerçantes transfrontalières ainsi que des agents des postes frontaliers. L’objectif principal est de renforcer les connaissances des participants sur le protocole de la CEDEAO relatif à la libre circulation des personnes et des biens, tout en promouvant des pratiques commerciales plus transparentes et équitables aux frontières. L’initiative est portée conjointement par le Groupe de réflexion et d’action Femme, Démocratie et Développement (GF2D-CRIFF), la Commission de la CEDEAO et l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM). Les organisateurs souhaitent apporter des réponses concrètes aux nombreuses difficultés rencontrées quotidiennement aux frontières de la sous-région. Selon Ginette Bayi Adekambi, directrice exécutive du GF2D-CRIFF, plusieurs obstacles persistent malgré les textes communautaires existants. Elle évoque notamment […]
Mangongo Vows to Take Nigeria to 2028 Cricket World Cup
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has appointed Zimbabwean tactician Stephen Mangongo as the new head coach of the national men’s team, with the coach vowing to lead Nigeria to the 2028 Cricket World Cup. Mangongo was officially unveiled on Wednesday, May 27, at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos. Newsmen confirmed his appointment ahead of the ceremony, marking a new chapter for Nigerian cricket under a coach with extensive experience in African cricket development. During his unveiling, Mangongo expressed determination to qualify Nigeria for the 2028 Cricket World Cup, pledging to build a competitive team capable of challenging the continent’s top sides. He emphasized developing local talent, improving team cohesion, and winning the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional qualifiers as stepping stones to the global tournament. The appointment follows the exit of former coach Steve Tikolo, who had overseen […]
La SIN et ST DIGITAL lancent un cloud privé
La Société d’Infrastructures Numériques (SIN) et ST DIGITAL ont signé, mardi 26 mai 2026 à Lomé, un partenariat stratégique visant à lancer une offre de services de cloud privé au sein du Lomé Data Centre (LDC). À travers cette collaboration, les deux entreprises ambitionnent de renforcer la souveraineté numérique du Togo et de soutenir le développement des services digitaux locaux. L’accord a été conclu entre Attia Byll, directrice générale de la SIN, et Justine Adebiyi, directrice générale de ST DIGITAL Togo. Cette alliance réunit deux acteurs importants du secteur numérique togolais. La SIN assure la gestion du Lomé Data Centre, une infrastructure certifiée Tier III par l’Uptime Institute, avec un taux de disponibilité estimé à 99,982 %. De son côté, ST DIGITAL est spécialisée dans les solutions de cloud souverain, l’intelligence artificielle et l’ingénierie logicielle en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le […]
More criticism trails Makinde over Wetie comment
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is facing growing criticism over his recent reference to Operation Wetie, a violent episode in the political history of the old Western Region.The governor reportedly used the expression during a political gathering in Ibadan at the weekend, a remark that many now see as irresponsible and dangerous. Opposition figures, civil society groups and concerned citizens have condemned the statement, warning that such language could encourage political thuggery and undermine peace in the state.They argue that referencing a period associated with arson, killings and severe unrest sends the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Some critics insist that leaders must promote calm and constructive engagement instead of inflammatory rhetoric.They stress that Oyo State has enjoyed relative stability in recent years and should not return to a climate of fear or politically motivated attacks. Political […]