By Humwashi Wonosikou
On August 27, 1991, Adamawa State was carved out of the old Gongola State. 35 years later, the state christened “The Land of Beauty” has gone through seasons of promise, trials, and now, a clear rebirth.
From the mountains of Madagali and Michika to the plains of Numan, from the commerce of Mubi to the calm of the Benue River in Yola, Adamawa has always carried the DNA of resilience, diversity, and natural endowment. But for many years, that beauty was dimmed by poor infrastructure, insecurity, and years of underinvestment.
Today, as we mark 35 years of statehood, one name stands out in the story of restoration: His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON.
When Governor Fintiri assumed office in 2019, he inherited a state struggling with the scars of insurgency, decayed infrastructure, and a battered economy. Seven years on, the narrative has changed.
The Fintiri administration bet big on roads. From five Flyovers and especially the Yola Unity Flyover and Underpass – the first of its kind in the North East – to rural roads linking farming communities to markets, Adamawa is opening up. The Jimeta Ultra-Modern Bridges, rehabilitation of Township Roads, and urban renewal projects have given the state a new face. “The Land of Beauty” is literally looking beautiful again.
Over 6,000 classrooms have been built or renovated. 21 Model Schools across the 21 Local Government Councils and Technical Schools. New cottage hospitals, upgraded General Hospitals, and the College of Health Sciences reflect a deliberate investment in human capital. A healthy, educated population is the true beauty of any state, and Fintiri has prioritized it.
Mubi, once the epicenter of insurgency, is trading again. Markets are open. Farmers are returning to their fields. The Governor’s investment in security architecture and community engagement has returned confidence to citizens. Peace, after all, is the first infrastructure for beauty to thrive.
From the Fintiri Business Wallet to agricultural programs and skills acquisition centers, thousands of youths and women have been lifted. Adamawa is no longer just talking about potential. It is creating jobs, supporting MSMEs, and positioning itself as an investment destination in the North East.
What sets Governor Fintiri apart in this 35-year journey is not just projects, but purpose. He governs with a clear philosophy: that government must be felt in the lives of ordinary people.
He has shown political will where others hesitated. He has completed abandoned projects. He has treated all 21 LGAs as equal stakeholders. He has led with humility, but with the firmness required to restore order.
It is this leadership that has earned him the title among citizens as the Governor who “restored the glory of Adamawa.” The potholed roads are giving way to asphalt. The dark streets are getting solar lights. The dilapidated schools are becoming learning hubs. That is what restoring glory looks like.
At 35, the road ahead is clear. Adamawa is at a turning point. The foundation has been laid. The challenge now is to consolidate and expand. As we approach 2027, the task before us as citizens is to protect this peace, support government policies, and refuse to be drawn into politics of bitterness.
Governor Fintiri has shown that with vision and commitment, the “Land of Beauty” can indeed live up to its name. The mountains are still there. The rivers still flow. But now, hope flows with them.
As Adamawa marks 35 years, we do not just celebrate the past. We celebrate a present being rebuilt, and a future being secured.
Happy 35th Anniversary to Adamawa State – The Land of Beauty, Reborn.
Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Adamawa State