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Tag: Gombe State

  • NiMet warns of intense heat in Gombe

    NiMet warns of intense heat in Gombe

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of severe heat stress in Gombe State and 17 other Northern states.

    The other states are Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    This is contained in its weather outlook released on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday by Gayus Musa, the Meteorological Manager for Gombe State.

    The agency said temperatures were expected to rise up to 40 degrees Celsius from Saturday, causing thermal discomfort in the affected states.

    “After 3 days of rainfall, discomfort levels are set to rise from April 12 due to high temperatures and clear skies.

    “Maximum temperatures in the north are reaching up to 40°C; with clear skies and moisture in the air, heat and discomfort will be more intense.”

    Musa urged Gombe residents to take proactive measures as extreme heat had significant health  implications.

    He warned that the rising temperatures and high humidity levels, could cause thermal discomfort.

    He advised resident to, therefore, avoid excessive sun exposure and seek cooler environments while recommending drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.

    “I advise residents to stay in well ventilated areas, wear breathable clothing, drink plenty of water, avoid peak sun hours between 12pm to 3pm, and use sun protection.

    “Also, let’s always check up on vulnerable persons like our children and the elderly persons in our communities,” he said.

    He urged stakeholders to create more awareness about heat stress risks and preventive measures essential for healthy living.

  • FG takes over Gombe hospital

    FG takes over Gombe hospital

    The Federal Government has converted the Gombe State government-owned General Hospital, Kumo, into a Federal Medical Centre.

    This is according to a statement by the Spokesman to President  Bola Tinubu,  Mr Bayo Onanuga.

    Onanuga said that the Kumo Federal Medical Centre would serve as a tertiary health hospital, contribute to the training of medical personnel, and boost health care service in Gombe State and the Northeast generally.

    “Gov. Muhammad Yahaya formally requested the takeover of the facility. President Tinubu approved the request, given the poor maternal and neonatal mortality indices in the Northeastern region and other health indicators in Gombe State.

    “The Federal Government also considered the state government’s commitment to improving its health sector, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has unveiled comprehensive reforms in the health sector.

    “President Tinubu commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of the state’s citizens and stressed that the takeover would improve the state’s healthcare delivery system,”  he said.

    The Kumo Federal Medical Centre is the second federal medical institution in the state, after the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, the capital.

    The teaching hospital was formerly a medical centre before it was upgraded.

  • ECWA pastor killed in Gombe in suspected robbery case

    ECWA pastor killed in Gombe in suspected robbery case

    The Police Command in Gombe State has confirmed the killing of the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Lubo community of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident which led to the death of the pastor, Reverend Bala Galadima, happened in the early hours of Sunday.

    Confirming the incident, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Command’s spokesperson told NAN that it was a case of robbery leading to the death of the clergyman.

    Abdullahi stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bello Yahaya, who visited the hospital where the body of the deceased was taken to, had deployed a team of special squad of personnel to the area.

    He expressed optimism that the culprits would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “The issue is a robbery because they entered into the house at night and maybe they attempted to rob him but unfortunately from the way he was shot at the back, maybe he was trying to escape which is natural and normal and he was shot,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that Yahaya was at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe that same night up till 5am to see things for himself.

    He stated that Yahaya had deployed a team of smart and technical personnel to the area and he expressed optimism that the police would get down to the root of this incident.

    He debunked issue linking the incidence to suspected bandits, noting that the state had no history of banditry,

    “We have coordinated a special operation and we are confident that the culprits would be arrested.”

    On why the incident happened in spite of the ban on night-time movement by the police, Abdullahi said the restriction was only effective in Gombe metropolis.

    He, however, said that Yahaya had directed all Area Commands in the state to replicate the restriction on night-time movement across the state.

    Narrating the sad event to NAN, a resident of Lubo and an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the gunmen entered the town around 1am, announcing their presence with multiple gunshots.

    It stated that the gunmen first visited the ECWA Church in the community before proceeding to a nearby compound where they stole some money.

    He said that they entered the compound, stole N300, 000 and then ransacked the houses in the compound and afterwards asked for the deceased’s house which was a fence away.

    The witness said on getting the information they proceeded to the pastor’s house where they shot him at the upper part of his back.

    He said that in view of the incident, the community had been thrown into mourning and fear as many of the residents were yet to recover from the sad event on a Sunday morning.

  • Gombe governor appoints 109 substantive directors

    Gombe governor appoints 109 substantive directors

    Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has approved the appointment of 109 substantive directors to strengthen the bureaucratic structure in the civil service.

    This is contained in a statement by his Media Aide, Ismaila Uba-Misili, on Saturday in Gombe.

    The statement quoted Rabi Jimeta, Chairperson, Gombe State Civil Service Commission (CSC), as saying that the appointments followed a rigorous and merit-based selection process, aimed at ensuring that only the most competent officers occupy the top echelon in the service.

    She said the promoted officers comprised of 23 directors from the administrative cadre, while 86 others were drawn from various professional cadres across different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Jimeta said that 172 deputy directors across administrative and professional cadres participated in the selection exercise, which included a capacity-building workshop, a written examination and a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

    “The final selection was based on performance, experience and dedication to duty in line with established civil service regulations,” she said.

    She urged the officers to see their elevation as a call to higher responsibility, emphasising the need for a renewed vigour, professionalism and commitment to service delivery.

    She reminded them that, “to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “Gov. Yahaya has remained steadfast in his civil service reform agenda, aimed at repositioning the sector for greater efficiency, productivity and service delivery.”

    According to Jimeta, the administration emphasises capacity building, merit-based promotion and digital transformation, to ensure a modern and effective civil service that meet the needs of the people of the state.

  • Yahaya assumes office as 23rd CP in Gombe

    Yahaya assumes office as 23rd CP in Gombe

    The Police Command in Gombe State has announced the appointment of Mr Bello Yahaya as the new Commissioner of Police for the state.

    DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Command’s spokesperson, confirmed the news in a press statement issued in Gombe on Monday.

    He said Yahaya assumed office as the 23rd Commissioner of Police in Gombe State.

    Abdullahi explained that Yahaya, who hails from Shinkafi in Zamfara State’s Shinkafi Local Government Area, succeeded Hayatu Usman, who had been re-deployed to Abuja.

    Yahaya, enlisted into the Nigeria Police on Aug. 15, 1996, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), trained at the prestigious Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano.

    Abdullahi further noted that the new Commissioner of Police had served in various departments within the police force, participated in numerous secondments, and attended several courses both within and outside Nigeria.

  • 108 persons killed in road traffic accidents in Gombe – FRSC

    108 persons killed in road traffic accidents in Gombe – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe State Command, says no fewer than 108 persons were killed in 328 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) that occurred across the state in 2024.

    The state Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Samson Kaura, disclosed this on Monday, in Akko, the command headquarters while briefing newsmen.

    Kaura said that 1,078 persons were injured in the auto crashes within the period under review.

    He added that there was decrease in number of crashes in 2024 compared with that of 2023.

    According to him, in 2023, we recorded 351 road traffic crashes while in 2024, we recorded 328.

    ”The command was also able to reduce deaths from auto crashes within the year under review through collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies in the state.”

    The sector commander also said that 2, 196 persons were involved the crashes within the period under review, with 1, 078 persons injured, and 1,010 unhurt.

    He said that in 2023, 2, 588 persons were involved in various RTCs across the state, with 1,308 of them sustaining varying degrees of injuries while 1,161 were recorded unhurt.

    Kaura also disclosed that 471 vehicles were involved the crashes within the period under review, against 515 recorded in 2023.

    He explained that the command recorded a 6.6 per cent reduction in RTCs in 2024, compared to 2023.

    He said that the major causes of crash in 2024 were speed, overloading, loss of control and wrongful overtaking, adding that the corps had stepped up efforts towards sensitising motorists in the state against these menace.

    He said that the measures taken in 2024 had yielded positive results in terms of the reduction in the number of crashes and people killed.

    ”Therefore we will strengthen our collaborations with critical stakeholders towards sensitising more road users in the state as well as improving on enforcement of traffic rules,” he said.

    The sector commander advised road users to cooperate with FRSC personnel in 2025 towards ensuring safety of lives and property of road users in the state.

  • Gombe begins N4.2bn gratuity payment

    Gombe begins N4.2bn gratuity payment

    The Gombe state government has begun disbursement of N4.2 billion outstanding gratuity arrears to 2,204 retirees.

    Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, who inaugurated the exercise on Monday in Gombe, pledged to settle gratuity backlog before the expiration of his tenure in 2027.

    He said that his administration inherited over N21 billion gratuity backlog for state and local government retirees from the previous administrations.

    The governor said the government expended N17.2 billion to settle gratuity/pension liabilities inherited by his administration in the last six years.

    Yahaya said that his administration had been struggling to clear past and present obligations which kept surging up as more workers exited the service.

    According to him, the current outstanding gratuity obligations stand at N19 billion for state and local government retirees.

    “We shall use all means possible to clear it so that we don’t leave such a burden again to whoever will inherit as the governor of Gombe State.

    “Today’s event demonstrates our resolve to leave no liabilities behind.

    “I am pleased to reaffirm that it is our solemn commitment to clear all gratuity obligations before the end of our tenure in 2027.

    “By doing so, we aim to leave a legacy of accountability and compassion; thus, ensuring no retiree is left without the benefits they so rightly deserve,” he said.

    Yahaya said the payment of gratuities and implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage underscored his administration’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of civil servants and retirees.

    The governor urged civil servants to approach their job with a renewed sense of dedication and excellence, adding that, “to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “Let us work together to restore the glory of our civil service by building a service that is responsive, efficient and accountable to the needs of the people of Gombe State.”

  • 7 killed, 31 injured in Gombe accident

    7 killed, 31 injured in Gombe accident

    No fewer than seven persons lost their lives in a lone auto crash on Kaltungo-Cham Road in Gombe State.

    Mr Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, confirmed the incident on Thursday in Gombe.

    He said that 31 other persons sustained varying degree of injuries in the lone trailer crash, which occurred at about 7:30  a.m.

    Kaura attributed the accident to suspected brake failure of the truck conveying soft drinks and 38 persons, comprising 34 males, two females and two children.

    He said the deceased comprised five males, one female and a child, adding that the corpses had been deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital Kaltungo, while 31 injured persons were receiving medical attention at the facility.

    He cautioned Nigerians against joining trailers to reduce high transportation fare, adding that, “always consider the cost of road traffic crashes and loss of lives, and how much you will pay as cost of transportation.

    “Only a lone crash and we have many casualties, we spent a whole day attending to the situation.

    “We advise against using trailers to travel because they (travellers) want to avoid paying the high cost of transportation.

    “Please stop joining trailers or heavy duty vehicles. They are not meant to convey humans, but goods,” he said.

    Kaura also advised drivers to ensure good vehicle maintenance to curb crashes.

  • Many injured as car rams into Christmas procession in Gombe

    Many injured as car rams into Christmas procession in Gombe

    The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed 22 persons were injured after a car rammed into a Christian procession on Wednesday in Tumfure Community, near Gombe.

    The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday.

    Abdullahi stated that no death was recorded in the unfortunate incident, adding that those injured were receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) and Specialist Hospital, Gombe.

    He added that the incident happened at about 2pm, when Christian faithful from Tumfure Community, while on a procession escorted by a team of policemen, were on their way to the Emir’s Palace and Government House.

    “Suddenly, a Sharon bus loaded with bags of rice and driven by a yet-to-be identified person lost control and rammed into the procession. The incident led to 22 persons being injured but no loss of life,” he stated.

    Abdullahi further stated that the vehicle was burnt by angry mob, while the driver escaped to an unknown destination. He noted that efforts were being made by the command to pick him up.

    However, the leader of the procession, Mr Shamsuddeen Kachalla, told newsmen at the Specialist Hospital, where some injured persons were being treated, that efforts were made to flag down the vehicle to no avail.

    Kachalla, a member of the Boys’ Brigade in Gombe, however, said that the number of the injured persons was more than 22.

    He said: “I have confirmed that 40 persons were injured and receiving treatment – 12 in FTH and 28 here at the Specialist Hospital. This procession has been going on for years and for the first time, we are encountering such an incident.

    “I don’t know what happened whether the driver lost control but he choose to hit the people on procession, instead of the vehicles before him,” he said.

    A correspondent, who visited the two hospitals, reports that there were 40 injured persons.

    Meanwhile, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has commiserated with the victims of the accident, urging the youths to remain calm.

    Yahaya commiserated with the victims when he received the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Gombe State chapter on a Christmas homage to him at the Government House, Gombe.

    He further urged Christian faithful to live peacefully with their Muslim neighbours.

  • Gombe to spend N32bn on workers salaries in 2025

    Gombe to spend N32bn on workers salaries in 2025

    The Gombe State Government has disclosed it will spend N32.24 billion on payment of workers salaries in the 2025 fiscal year.

    Malam Muhammad Magaji, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, stated this during the 2025 budget breakdown exercise, on Tuesday in Gombe.

    Recall Governor Inuwa Yahaya had on Monday assented to the N369.9 billion Appropriation Bill passed by the state’s legislature.

    Magaji said the amount was 10.31 per cent higher than the 2024 personnel cost of N29.22 billion, adding that the increase in the personnel cost to the tune of N3 billion would fasttarck implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage.

    He said the government planned to spend N38.08 billion as overhead cost representing 10.29 per cent of the approved estimate, adding that the overhead for 2024 was 22.72 per cent lower than that of the incoming year.

    The commissioner said the state government would spent 10.02 per cent of its budget on debt servicing in the next financial year.

    He said that N37.22 billion representing 18.08 per cent increase of the N31.52 billion used in debt servicing in 2024, stressing that there was no cause for alarm over the allocation of 10 per cent of the budget for debt servicing in 2025.

    According to Magaji, the approved limit by the Debt Management Office for borrowing is 40 per cent, and it should not be more than 40 per cent of the state’s budget before such state could borrow.

    Magaji said that 10 per cent was low, indicating that the state was doing well and managing its financial affairs appropriately.

    “We are borrowing to improve infrastructure, and there is nowhere in the world where the government does not borrow for infrastructure and does not borrow to ensure that services that are required are put in place.

    “We don’t borrow for recurrent. All we borrow is for capital projects and that is bests practices,” he said.

    On revenue, Magaji said the state projected a N25.66 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), representing 17.58 per cent of the total budget for 2025, indicating a N600 million increase over the previous financial year.

    On sectorial allocations, he said that infrastructure got the lion share of 22.82 per cent of the total budget size; followed by education 15.14 per cent, health 9.14 per cent, and agriculture 5.40 per cent, respectively.