Gara-Gombe Bags NUT Award For Education, Youth Empowerment

Former Gombe State Football Association chairman and grassroots sports promoter, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has been honoured by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for his contributions to education, youth empowerment and human development in Gombe State.

The award was presented to Gara-Gombe as part of activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, with the NUT commending his sustained efforts to improve educational opportunities, support teachers and empower young people across the state.

According to the union, Gara-Gombe’s initiatives, spanning academic competitions, student sponsorship, teacher support, ICT and vocational training, sports development and infrastructure projects, have positively impacted communities and contributed to strengthening the education sector.

The NUT described the recognition as an appreciation of his dedication to education and national development, under the theme, “Transforming Education, Empowering Generations.”

Among Gara-Gombe’s contributions is the organisation of inter-primary school spelling bee competitions across Gombe State, which the union said helped improve literacy, build pupils’ confidence and promote academic excellence.

He also introduced the Dr Gazali Mathematics Competition in 2019 for secondary school students to stimulate interest in mathematics and improve their analytical skills.

During the Hashidu administration, Gara-Gombe sponsored computer literacy competitions designed to improve students’ digital skills and expose them to information and communication technology at an early age.

His grassroots sports initiatives have equally focused on using sport as a tool for youth development. He organised athletics competitions for primary school pupils, identifying talented youngsters and supporting some with food, school uniforms and school fees.

He subsequently established an athletics academy to train promising athletes discovered through the competitions. The academy has produced medal winners at national events, including the National Youth Games in Asaba and MTN Athletics Competitions in Jos.

In 2025, he organised an inter-secondary school athletics competition which brought students from within and outside Gombe State together for a week-long camping programme, with participants provided accommodation and feeding.

Gara-Gombe also facilitated training programmes for primary and secondary school games masters in 2023 and 2025, bringing experts from outside the state to improve sports education and coaching.

His educational initiatives further include an essay-writing competition for indigenous students of Gombe State in 2023, while his foundation has continued to sponsor students from primary to tertiary levels, helping beneficiaries overcome financial barriers to education.

In 2026, he sponsored the centenary celebration of Hassan Central Primary School, which featured prayers, lectures, classroom adoption, recognition of former head teachers and sporting activities.

Beyond education and sports, Gara-Gombe has supported skills acquisition and capacity-building programmes. In 2023, he jointly sponsored training in solar panel design, fabrication, installation and maintenance at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, in partnership with the Gombe State Government.

He also sponsored Gombe indigenes for leadership and diplomatic training in Abuja in 2017 and supported project management training at the Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management.

His community development interventions include facilitating the construction of 19 toilets and renovation of 15 others at Government Day Primary and Secondary School, Muazu Bolari, in 2025.

He also supported the participation of nine Gombe indigenes in an international climate change programme in South Africa in 2014, while 10 others benefited from a capacity-building workshop in Morocco in 2024.

In football, Gara-Gombe sponsored nine coaches from the state to undergo CAF D Coaching certification in Oyo State as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots football development.

Through the Gombe Grassroots Movement, he has also enrolled about 500 retired teachers in a welfare support programme in recognition of their contribution to education.

As part of his support for the NUT award programme, Gara-Gombe contributed ₦500,000 towards its success.

The NUT said his various interventions demonstrated an enduring commitment to education, youth empowerment, sports development, ICT advancement and human capital development, adding that his efforts continue to create opportunities and inspire excellence among young people in Gombe State.