*State, Bastion Of Peace In Troubled Region, CAN Notes
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for a regional framework to dismantle entrenched stereotypes and usher lasting peace across Northern Nigeria.
Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Gombe State/Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.
The northern Christian leader urged the Gov to use his position as Chairman of NSGF to lead a coordinated regional drive to foster unity, bridge divides, and consolidate peace across the region.
Rev. Hayab, who commended the Governor for what he described as his purposeful and inclusive leadership style, noted that he has transformed Gombe and positioned the state as a model for peace-building and harmonious coexistence at a time when the region is grappling with deepening divisions and mistrust.
He also commended the Governor’s swift and compassionate interventions during moments of crises, particularly a recent incident in which the State Government fully offset the medical bills of Christian victims and extended moral as well as institutional support to their families, saying such acts reflect a rare quality of leadership that should be emulated nationwide.
“At this critical moment in our history, when suspicion, stereotypes, and divisions have crept deep into the fabric of our society, there is no better person than yourself to lead the urgent conversation and actions required to reclaim our shared values of unity, peace, and mutual respect,” the CAN Chairman declared.
He urged the Governor to rally his colleagues in the Forum towards a collective agenda for regional healing and re-integration.
Hayab also proposed the establishment of a North-wide peace and unity framework that would bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth influencers, and public officials for regular dialogue and collaborative action.
He stressed that the future stability of the region depends on raising young people who will learn, grow, and work together without being defined or divided by religion or ethnicity, but instead are bound by shared humanity and a common vision for progress.
The CAN leader praised the Governor’s visible strides in infrastructural and institutional development, citing landmark projects such as the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, the network of mega schools designed to redefine educational standards, the comprehensive reconstruction of the General Hospital in Kumo which paved the way for its elevation to a Federal Medical Centre, and the upgrading of the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery which have now become vital training hubs for the health sector.
He noted the state’s expansive road network, monumental structures such as the High Court Complex, the new State Assembly building, and the ultra-modern State Secretariat, describing them as investments with long-term socio-economic benefits.
“If such vision-driven and people-centred initiatives were replicated across the North and the country at large, we would have a glimpse of heaven here on earth,” he noted.
Hayab added that Gombe’s governance model stands as a testament to the possibilities and purposeful leadership that can be achieved when driven by sincerity of purpose and inclusivity.
In his response, Gov. Yahaya expressed appreciation to the CAN leadership for the visit and for choosing Gombe as the host for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the association’s youth wing, noting that it was a testament to the state’s reputation as a peaceful, secured, and hospitable environment.
He underscored his administration’s belief in the unity of all people regardless of religion, ethnicity, or culture, affirming Rev. Hayab’s position that, in the eyes of God Almighty , humanity remains one and indivisible, just as the Gov. stressed that hatred and division have no place in a progressive society.
The Governor called on Northerners to draw inspiration from the legacies of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision for unity and peaceful coexistence remained relevant to present-day challenges.
He revealed that on assuming office in 2019, his administration inherited a state without a development blueprint -a gap that led to the formulation of DEVAGOM, a 10-year development plan aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and endorsed by the State House of Assembly, pointing out that the document now guides all projects and interventions to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.
Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with all religious, ethnic, and professional groups to build a peaceful and united Gombe, and by extension, a stable and prosperous North.
PHOTO CAPTION: Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
