Gombe Women, Public Commentators Speak with One Voice, Applaud Zainab Gwamna’s Landmark Summit
From Muhammad Kabir Kano
One day after the historic Gombe Women’s Unity and Progress Summit, women leaders, public commentators and stakeholders across Gombe State have continued to commend the initiative, describing it as an impactful platform capable of strengthening women’s participation in development and creating lasting opportunities for women across the state.
The first-ever summit, convened by the wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Zainab Jamil Gwamna, brought together more than 6,000 women from the state’s 11 Local Government Areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas.
Stakeholders said the unprecedented turnout demonstrated the importance women attach to initiatives that directly address their empowerment, welfare, economic advancement and participation in society. They described the summit as more than a gathering, saying it has opened a new conversation on the role women can play in driving sustainable development in Gombe State.
Former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State Council, Danjuma Kala, said the summit was particularly significant because of the pivotal role women play in economic and social development.
According to him, “This landmark event is critical to Gombe State in view of the pivotal role played by women in driving sustainable development through various economic activities and other ventures which propel economic as well as inclusive growth, while strengthening service delivery in all spheres of human endeavour.”
Also reacting to the summit, political analyst Dr. Abu- Ubaida Ibrahim Kuna said the event demonstrated two important realities: The commitment of the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to women’s empowerment and the expectations of women regarding what could be achieved under a future administration led by Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna.
Dr. Kuna noted that the various women- focused interventions of the Inuwa Yahaya administration had contributed to inclusive growth in the state, while the summit had also provided an opportunity for women to envisage greater support and opportunities under Dr. Gwamna Jamil Gwamna.
He added that the summit could further consolidate the APC’s grassroots structure, noting that the massive participation of women reflected strong grassroots mobilisation and could positively influence the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Gombe State APC Women Leader, Hajiya Fatima Shuaibu Gara, and the North-East Zonal Coordinator, Hajiya Lumbi Abubakar, also described the summit as a significant step towards strengthening the party’s women base and building a pathway to victory for the APC in the state.
They said the massive participation of women from across Gombe demonstrated their confidence in the party and its leadership, stressing that continued support for APC candidates would enable the state to sustain the development gains recorded under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The women leaders expressed confidence that the turnout at the summit had further strengthened their optimism about the APC’s prospects in the 2027 general elections, while commending Dr. Zainab Gwamna for providing a platform that brought women together across political and community structures.
Stakeholders believe that the networks, knowledge and relationships established through the gathering can continue to empower women, strengthen their voices and create opportunities for greater participation in the socio-economic and political development of the State.
