Dankwambo: Tribute to architect of new Gombe

An adage says that having had the privilege of a noble birthis not as important as giving oneself a nobler rebirth.
This proverb aptly captures the lifetime efforts and determination of Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the Executive Governor of Gombe state. He has strived to convince every nay sayer that pressure could actually squeeze whining out of losers and winning out of achievers.
He has likewise demonstrated that anyone that optimises God given talents very well, could pick money from people’s pockets and nobody will ever get the guts to label the person a thief.
Another key factor in the life of Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo is the faithfulness of his Creator.
He is unusually gifted and this can only be attributed to the faithfulness of Allah.
The miracle worker of Gombe in his 56 years of existence has not found himself in a wrong place.
This for sure, could have only been guaranteed by Allah’s faithfulness.
Dankwambo has thus far enjoyed steady career and political progression.
He has also never been left at the mercy of his enemies.
Ibrahim Dankwambo is now serving his second term as the Governor of Gombe state, having won his first mandate in 2011 and survived the political tsunami of 2015 to get reelected.
He is undoubtedly the best thing to have happened to Gombe state in terms of good governance.
The fact of Dr.
Ibrahim Dankwambo noble birth and aristocrat background are indisputable.
He has proven himself as God’s special gift to Gombe state and Nigeria when he breathed the first air of this earth planet on April 4, 1962, at Gombe Local Government Area in Gombe state.
Dankwambo had his primary and secondary schools education in his native Gombe state before he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied and obtained B.Sc. in Accounting. He also bagged M.Sc. in Economics from University of Lagos.
He also displayed his academic genius by obtaining Ph.D in Accounting from Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state.
Dankwambo likewise armed himself with a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science from Delta state University, Abraka.
In addition to these intimidating academic qualifi cations, he is a fellow of front line professional bodies in Nigeria that includes Fellow Chartered Institute of Accountant, Fellow Chartered Institute of Bankers, Fellow Chartered Institute of Taxation, Fellow Chartered Dankwambo: Tribute to architect of new Gombe institute of Management, Fellow Chartered institute of Marketing and Fellow Nigerian Economic Society.
Alhaji Dankwambo began his glowing career at the Coopers and Lybrand International, now PriceWaterHouseCoopers as a Chartered Accountant from 1985 to 1988.
It is on record that he became a chartered accountant at a record time of one year after his graduation from the university.
He later joined the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1988 and worked with the apex bank till 1999.
He was subsequently appointed the Accountant-General of Gombe state in view of his evidently unique qualities.
The unprecedented achievements of Dankwambo as the Accountant General of Gombe state was noticed by the then Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who appointed him as the Accountant General of the Federation on 20th April, 2005 to succeed Mr. J.K Naiyeju.
Meanwhile, before his appointment, Dankwambo had served at various committees of the Federation Account where his brilliance, innovativeness and resourcefulness became too evident to go unnoticed by all and sundry.
Dankwambo has had numerous global exposure to cutting edge trainings that have ultimately distinguished him as a well grounded and seasoned Accountant, Economist and Administrator.
He nonetheless achieved monumental successes that have outlived him and already etched his name in the sands of time while he served as the Accountant General of the federation.
He resigned this appointment in 2011 to contest the governorship of his home state, Gombe in which he recorded landslide victory.
A few of his legacies as the Accountant General of the Federation include the ensured the construction and completion of the Treasury House, ensuring up to date financial statements of the Federal Government which were then in arrears, revolutionizing of the public sector towards a cashless economy with the implementation of e-payment system which was then a completely new innovation in the financial services of the federal government and introduction of the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
This system made it possible for staff salaries in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to get paid centrally using an automated system.
His other legacies also include the institution of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which allows allows government financial position to be easily determined for the facilitation and timely reconciliation of cash balances, installation of a Financial Management system (GIFMIS) which is an ICT integrated system which computerised the public financial management processes from budget preparation, execution, accounting and reporting and ensuring the removal of centralisation which had hitherto caused bottlenecks and delays in implementing projects, thereby enabling Ministries, Departments and Agencies to process and make payments for contracts awarded after obtaining due certification for the projects.
Dr. Dankwambo has brought his deep intellect and rare administrative acumen to bear on Gombe state.
The Jewel of Savannah state has practically experienced transformation since Dankwambo assumed office as the Governor.
His giant strides in the state got him adjudged as the best Northern Governor of the Year in 2017.
He has set standards of performance and has also surpasses himself in delivering dividends of democracy.
The performance of Dankwambo as Gombe state’s helmsman has effectively cut across all sectors.
He has so far constructed over 3,000 kilometers of roads complete with solar powered lightening.
He has likewise achieved the beautification of the capital city of Gombe state.
He has equally delivered in upgrading and maintenance of all sporting infrastructure in the state, while regular funding of the state football clubs has being of priority to him.
Educational fortune of Gombe state has also been turned around by Dankwambo.
It is heartwarming that virtually all schools in Gombe are now renovated and equipped with modern facilities such as e-learning centres, e-libraries, ICT centres, laboratories, expansive and conducive classes, modern furniture, conducive ambience and well motivated staff .
These factors have largely contributed to the successes recorded so far by primary and secondary school students of Gombe in their external examinations.
He has constructed over 502 classrooms and recruited well over 1,000 degree and NCE graduates.
He has also taken it upon himself to train over 5, 000 teachers for enhanced productivity.
Alhaji Dakwambo has likewise embarked on the establishment of School of Basic and Remedial Studies, Kumo, College of Education, Billiri, State Polytechnic, Bajoga and College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Nafada.
The promise keeper of Gombe has also undertaken the sponsorship of 25 students in Maritime Studies in India and the United Kingdom.
Dakwambo has so far revolutionised agriculture in the Gombe State having procured 225 tractor units and constructed several markets to encourage cotton farm in the state.
Poultry farming has so far been given a new lease of life having embarked on training and retraining of poultry farmers in the state.
The health sector of Gombe state has never had it so good until Dankwambo became the governor.
He has since embarked on the upgrading of Urban Maternity in Idi to Children and Women Hospital.
He has also constructed Dialysis Centre in Gombe Specialist Hospital.
The Action Governor has embarked on the construction of College of Nursing and Midwifery in Dukku.
Then, there is the construction of Snake Bite Centre in Kaltungo.
The supply and installation of 4 dialysis machines and 2 dialysis chairs are to the credit of Alhaji Dakwambo.
The governor has truly delivered in transforming all sectors of Gombe without an exception.
Workers are paid as at when due as well as empowering the youths.
Not to speak of ensuring adequate security for lives and properties in Gombe.
Dankwambo has also provided affordable housing and provision of infrastructure.
The high point is the construction of the breath-taking International Conference Centre for Gombe state as well as an Ultra-Modern Mega Motor Park.
His administration has likewise constructed a Petroleum Tanker Parking Bay for petroleum trucks in the state.
Space constraint will permit the capturing of monumental achievements of Dankwambo as governor of Gombe state.
He has undoubtedly secured his place in history for factoring competence, accountability and innovation into leadership.
The indefatigable chief executive has proven his mettle at the state level, but still very much prepared to give the badly needed leadership to make Nigeria secure, safe and prosperous.
Competent leadership ability of Ibrahim Dankwambo is beyond doubt.
His political career has been enjoying steady progression on account of his integrity, intellectual wizardry and vast experience in both private and public sectors.
A disservice that could be done to this nation is to deny this proven sterling performer the opportunity of administering the badly needed solutions to the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria today.
He has undoubtedly proven his mettle at the state level and he is best positioned to take Nigeria out of the woods, come 2019.
Yusuf wrote in from Abuja