Gov Fintiri Flag-off Construction Of Ultra-Modern State-of-the-art International Conference & Events Centre in Yola

Gov Fintiri Flag-off Constructions Of Ultra-Modern State-of-the-Art International Conference & Events Centre In Yola

By Muh’d Shafi’u Saleh

In his continuous delivery of dividends of democracy and good governance in Adamawa, governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state, has formally flag-off the construction of an ultramodern state-of-the-art International Conference and Events Centre in the heart of Yola, on Thursday.

Speaking in the event governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said we are here again, in fulfilment of what has become the engraved trademark of our administration.

“Our people through the initiation and execution of projects that places our state strategically on the map of progress and brings shared prosperity to the people as we collectively march into a guaranteed future with pride.

“We are here today, to break the ground and formally flag-off the Construction of an ultramodern state-of-the-art International Conference and Events Centre in the heart of Yola.

The Centre, when fully constructed, will boast state-of-the-art facilities, galleries, mini halls, administrative offices, restaurant, tea-room, out-door sitting arrangements and uninterrupted power supply.

Most interesting and heart-warming is the economic and commercial benefits which it will attract to the state’s coffers, directly and otherwise. Going by the number and calibre of seminal conferences, political confabs, dinners, launches, reviews, graduation parties, workshops, awards and other strategic get-togethers which will be drawn to the Centre at its completion, only the myopic will fail to see where all these will leave the state when the project is completed. This is besides other socio-economic benefits which will be evident.

Taking advantage of the viability of the Yola International airport, the Centre will attract patronage across the country and internationally. This will further open up the state for investment and tourism whose multiplier effect would be manifest in providing jobs for our youths and boosting the states internally generated revenue. This Centre will transform the state into a commercial hub and prompt development into the surrounding towns and villages (roads, lock-up stalls and the likes). In its own right, the Centre will provide jobs, because there will be need for on-ground staff who will help to keep it in top shape.

Beyond every bit of benefit that would be availed by this project, is the fact that it represents our bold and strategic effort at building the Adamawa of the future today. It is our deliberate attempt at maximizing the hospitality and tourism sector potentials by positioning the state well and ready for the MICE industry.

The MICE industry, is a hospitality and tourism subsector, that represents the acronym of: M – Meetings; I – Incentives; C – Conferences; and E – Exhibition. It is a huge industry which we are determined to dominate as a major player. Thus, as we lay the foundation of this Centre today, I call on all the relevant authorities to initiate discussions with event planners globally. Break the news to them that in the next 12 Months, Yola would be ready to host their meetings, conferences and exhibitions with the right incentives. We hope to host major conferences like the NBA, ICAN, CIBN, Conferences, etc., in Yola.

“This is one step at coupling the pieces of our investment promotion campaign into a whole. We cannot continue to talk about attracting investors without putting in place the right infrastructure. If we are telling people to leave wherever they are and come to Adamawa, we should be able to give them what they are benefiting there and even more.

We can keep saying that “Adamawa is ready for business”, but without the right infrastructure in place, they will tell us they like our policies, but they want to see better facilities – they want to see good roads, where they don’t have to spend hours in traffic; they want to see clean environment where the hygiene of their investment can be guaranteed; they equally want to see robust tourism and recreational facilities. The good news is that we are matching our talks with actions.

“Today, Yola boasts of the best and most convenient hassle-free road network relative to its size in the country. We are completing the over 27-year moribund Yola Stadium and by the grace of God we shall be completing the best International Conference Centre in northern Nigeria in the next 12 Months. We have prioritized infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth.

Through strategic partnerships and targeted funding, we have executed numerous projects aimed at rural electrification, road construction, and public facility upgrades. We have successfully executed over 30 rural electrification projects, impacting thousands of households across multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs).

These projects have contributed significantly to rural development, enhancing productivity in agriculture, commerce, and social services. We are opening up the state to the best investors in the renewable energy space through our strategic partnerships for the development of solar farms and mini-grids.

We are deploying everything within our power, not only to attract investors into the state but to make them stay when they come. Our State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) program has been instrumental in fostering a competitive business environment. Through digital transformation and regulatory reforms, we have reduced business registration timelines, automated government services, and improved transparency in land transactions.

One of the key highlights of our economic advancement has been our Ease of Doing Business score, which improved from 5.25 in 2021 to 5.86 in 2023, resulting in +10 positions climb in the national rankings.

Our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has also witnessed growth, driven by improved tax collection mechanisms, digital financial management, and expanded economic activities. The State Fiscal Transparency League Table has consistently ranked Adamawa state in the top-5 in Nigeria since 2023, reflecting our commitment to financial accountability and good governance.

“With a budget performance of over 80% in the year 2024, our fiscal discipline ranking is one of the best in the country. We have significantly improved our financial reporting, procurement processes, and public expenditure management. The implementation of digital financial platforms and e-procurement systems has enhanced efficiency, reduced corruption risks, and ensured judicious use of public funds.

We have reduced cost of governance and reduced overhead cost with over 40%, making it the first of its kind in Nigeria. We have been faithful to our debt servicing and reduced our debt profile with over 50% repayment. This is perhaps one of the best rankings in the country. Our investment rating is BBB+, making us among the few sub-nationals with an investment rating by credible rating agencies in the country.

The education sector has occupied a place of priority in our Adamawa 2.0 Agenda. Today, our teachers are paid regularly, the infrastructure in our school is being improved, we are building new smart schools at both basic and secondary levels, the teaching aides are provided in the schools, scholarship bursaries are provided for our students in tertiary institutions, school enrolment has improved geometrically, basic education is free in the state and for the past six years no child attending public school has paid a dime for NECO and WAEC in Adamawa state.

“Through our deliberate and targeted investment in the education sector, for the past three years, we have consistently led the northeast in performance ranking for both WAEC and NECO and are among the top-5 in the country with a consistent average of over 65% candidates with 5 credits and above (including Mathematics and English). What this means is that the combined performance of our students in these national examinations for the past 3 years, gives them the requisite qualification to sit for and pass JAMB and gain admission into tertiary institutions of their choices. This feat is unprecedented in the combined history of both Adamawa State and defunct Gongola State.

We have invested enough resources in the health sector by constructing new hospitals and clinics, renovated the existing ones and recruited Nurses and Doctors to man them. What is fascinating here, is that we have placed the healthcare personnel on a competitive salary that matches only the federal government.

We have established the State Health Insurance Scheme which is aimed at supporting low-income earners and vulnerable people in the State. Under this Scheme, children under 5 years, pregnant mothers and the aged’ above 65 years are receiving free medical attention. It is of interest to note that, the Health Indicators from the Federal Ministry of Health, places Adamawa State on top with the best Health Indices in the Northeast.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this is not a day for a scorecard, but today marks our two years with your renewed mandate, I therefore feel obligated to keep you abreast with what we are doing with your mandate.

We are not sleeping with it. In fact, we are keeping our antagonists and your enemies – the enemies of the progress of Adamawa state, sleepless with it. This partly explains why they feel tormented any time we embark on a project that is beyond their individual thinking faculties.

On this note, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, “I reassure you of our commitment to the delivery of good governance to an Adamawa state where no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched. To the glory of God and the use of humanity, it is my pleasure to formally break the ground and flag-off the construction of the Adamawa state International Conference and Events Centre, Yola.