By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has inaugurated a State Taskforce Committee on the Prevention of Aid Diversion, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and safeguarding humanitarian and nutritional support materials across the state.
The initiative, under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that assistance meant for vulnerable groups—particularly malnourished children—reaches its intended beneficiaries.
According to a statement issued by Mohd G. Mohd on March 26, 2026, the committee was formally inaugurated by the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, who commended participants for their punctuality, describing time consciousness as a hallmark of responsible leadership.
Jatau underscored the critical link between health and development, noting that no society can achieve meaningful progress without a healthy population.
He described malnutrition as a major challenge in Nigeria’s North-East and called for collective action to address the problem.
He charged members of the committee to diligently execute their mandate in line with the Terms of Reference (TOR), expressing optimism that their work would contribute to improved public health outcomes in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chairman and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
He assured stakeholders that the committee would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, diligence, and commitment.
Alkali also thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the team, pledging that the taskforce would work assiduously to deliver on its mandate and curb the diversion of critical aid resources.
