Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has led a delegation to Malaysia to strengthen educational, cultural and investment cooperation between the state and the Southeast Asian country.
The visit precedes the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree on the governor by Lincoln University College, Malaysia.
Lincoln University has established a campus in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, providing higher education services and supporting human capital development in the state.
As part of activities lined up for the visit, the governor and his delegation were hosted to a special luncheon by the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia.
He was received by the Chargé d’Affaires and Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to Malaysia, Ambassador Sani Danlami, who welcomed the delegation and commended the state’s growing educational partnership with Malaysia.
In his remarks, Inuwa Yahaya expressed appreciation to the High Commission for the warm reception, while briefing officials on the progress recorded in the establishment of the Lincoln University campus in Gombe.
He described the partnership as strategic to expanding access to quality higher education and strengthening skills development in the state.
The governor also interacted with Gombe State students studying in Malaysia, urging them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to academic excellence.
He encouraged the students to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria, and announced a cash donation to support their academic pursuits.
Members of the delegation included the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo; former Nigerian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ambassador Hajara Ibrahim Salim; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; and other senior government officials.
In a related development, Inuwa Yahaya said education, skills acquisition and human capital development remained the focus of the partnership between the Gombe State Government and Lincoln University.
The governor stated this during a welcome dinner organised in his honour by the management of Lincoln University Malaysia.
He said the collaboration was designed to deliver long-term socio-economic benefits and would be implemented in line with international best practices.
The President and Founder of Lincoln University, Prof. Amiya Bhaumik, alongside other university officials, commended the governor for his leadership and commitment to strengthening higher education through global partnerships.
