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Tag: gombe

  • Gov Yahaya of Gombe decries paucity of funds to maintain airport

    Gov Yahaya of Gombe decries paucity of funds to maintain airport

    Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has decried the paucity of funds to keep the state-owned airport functional.

    Yahaya, who stated this in Gombe while briefing Members of the Joint Committee on Aviation, said it had become difficult for the government to cope with the financial burden of keeping the airport in good shape.

    He said the resources for maintaining the airport facility was competing with the ones needed for developmental projects that would benefit the people.

    “We finance the airport and its operation and it is becoming cumbersome on the state government, especially in view of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

    The governor also decried the meagre income from the federal allocation saying “we are among the lowest earning states in terms of federal allocation.

    “That makes it necessary for us to look for ways by which we can relief ourselves and leverage on what we get to put in development that affect the lives of the people.

    “we are very proud of what we are doing and whatever we are doing is touching on the lives of the people.

    “If the Federal Government takes over this airport, we will leverage on whatever we get and do more for the people. We believe the airport will operate better,’’ Yahaya said.

    He said with the geographical position of Gombe state in the Northeast, the service of the airport had become national and international.

    ”This is because through our boundaries you can access Cameroon and Chad or even Niger Republic,” he added.

    Yahaya stated that the state government needed support to ensure that the airport was made standard and to upgrade the facilities to make it cargo or international airport for the Northeast.

    The governor said he was ready to support all efforts that would translate into turning the facility into a standard airport for the benefit of the good people of the Northeast.

    Earlier, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, said members were in the state for a `flying visit’ to assess the condition of the airport facility.

    “We are here to have a true picture of the needs and challenges of each of the airport in Nigeria. And come out with a position on what the Federal Government should do to improve the airports.’’

    According to Adeyemi, since Gombe state airport is strategically located in the northeast sub-region, there was a need for serious attention from the federal government.

    He said that aviation was key to socio-economic development of any nation, as it “is the life of the nation today as no nation can talk about economic prosperity without the aviation industry.’’

    On their assessment of the airport, Adeyemi said “the facilities here seem to be obsolete, some of them are outdated. There is a need for proper funding for this airport.

    He added that one of the major requirements for airport was adequate water supply which according to him is lacking, and“ quite disturbing.’’

    Also speaking, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Aviation, said discussion had began and would be strengthened for the federal government to take-over the airport.

    “We believe that will enhance the facility as there will also be a need for cargo terminal and the other facilities around the airport. Airport is all about safety and security.

    “It is important, there is air-foot lightening to boost operations especially at night. There is need for upgrade of the facility and the governor requested that it should be taking-over by the federal government.

    “We believe that the federal government should take it over because of its commercial activity and strategic location in the northeast sub-region.’’

  • Update on Biliri crisis: Fulanis in Gombe mobilise to attack Tangale indigenes over leadership tussle

    Update on Biliri crisis: Fulanis in Gombe mobilise to attack Tangale indigenes over leadership tussle

    Emman Ovuakporie

    The leadership crisis rocking Tangale community in Biliri Local Government of Gombe is fast taking an alarming shape as it’s alleged that the Fulanis are mobilising to launch an attack against the predominantly Christian community.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG had reported on Friday that Tangale kingdom maybe taken over by the Fulanis.

    The Fulanis as at Friday night had quietly relocated their wives from Tangale to keep them safe to allegedly unleash mayhem in Tangale.

    The youth and women had protested the alleged imposition of a Fulani after Dr Idris Maiyemba had polled 55 votes in a selection carried out by the Tangale chiefdom.

    Sources close to the Biliri citizens agitation movement against a minority opposition told TNG that the state Governor claimed he had a choice to make out of the three selected.

    His choice according to the source is most likely going to be the Fulani who has no claim to the throne.

    This the source said may lead to an unnecessary bloodshed if not properly handled.

  • Trending video: Gombe community, Tangale boils over alleged imposition of minority monarch

    Trending video: Gombe community, Tangale boils over alleged imposition of minority monarch

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    A trending video online indicates that the alleged imposition of a Muslim of minority extraction in Tangale a predominantly Christian community in Gombe State as King has generated mixed feelings that the women went on protest on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the protest based on the recorded video clips and other reliable sources.
    The protest which started at midday on Thursday led to the blockage of Biliri Local Government entry points by irate youths and the women.

    Trouble started when it was alleged that a minority candidate that has no link to the Tangale throne would be imposed by the Gombe State Government despite the fact the candidate scored less than 22 votes while the authentic candidate and son of the demised monarch, Dr Idris Maiyemba polled 55votes.
    This did not go down well with the indigenes of Tangale who smelt a rat and decided to protest the alleged injustice.

    The youths in Tangale Chiefdom in the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State have also asked Governor Yahaya Inuwa to confirm Dr Musa Idris Maiyamba as the new Mai Tangale.

    The youths in a letter to the governor asked him to respect the choice of the people.

    Watch videos below:

    They alleged that there are plans to announce somebody other than Maiyamba, who according to them, got the highest votes from the kingmakers.

    The letter read, “Your Excellency sir, we write you this short open letter with mixed feelings, but the reason for writing is primarily to appreciate you for respecting our tradition and culture as shown in the just concluded election of the new Mai Tangale.

    “Elections were conducted peacefully, the people spoke through their kingmakers. We are people who believe in God and all that He does. So we accept the results wholeheartedly. In view of that we expected – an endorsement of the will of the people immediately, but here we are, three days gone.

    “Sir, we are wondering if the calculation has become so difficult for the inner circle, we can from outside help with little arithmetical analysis:

    “There were nine (9) kingmakers in total that voted. 5/9 (55.55%) voted for Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba, 2/9 (22.22%) went for Mr. Ahmed Magaji and another 2/9 (22.22%) went for Mr. Danladi M. The last two (2) put together are still less than the winner. The message is loud, Sir.

    “Sir, the above results are a clear indication of the people’s position, and since the king is not going to be administering over a territory other than the Tangale Kingdom, then the handwriting is legible enough as to who they desire to have as their ruler.

    “Your Excellency sir, the youth are agitated and enraged already, they don’t seem to be asking for too much. “GIVE US OUR CHOICE” is what they keep chanting. It may appear insignificant to you sir, but be assured that a lot can be averted by doing the right thing in good time.

    “Mark Twain warned: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

  • I made over N3m from fish farming in 2020 – 70-yr-old retiree

    I made over N3m from fish farming in 2020 – 70-yr-old retiree

    Mr Ezra Amos, a 70-year-old retiree from Dadin Kowa community of Gombe State said he realised over N3 million from fish farming in 2020.

    Amos, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dadin Kowa, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, on Wednesday, said fish farming was paying his bills as a retired civil servant.

    He said his investment in agriculture was paying him more than when he was in service, adding that he had been in the fishery business since 2012.

    “In the last four months of 2020, I made N1.4 million from my fish farming. In the first four months, I made N750, 000, while in the four months in between, I made N850, 000.’’

    He said that besides fish farming, he also engaged in hatching and selling fingerlings which according to him fetched more money than selling matured fishes.

    “With the kind of money I am making from fish farming, if I am offered a job by the government that pays over N100, 000 monthly I won’t accept it because there is more money here,’’ he said.

    He said fish was of high demand and “even yesterday someone asked if I have more fishes to sell. Sometimes buyers even book our fish before they get to full maturity.

    “With the market which is readily available and the huge demand for fish, anyone who ventures into it will make money.’’

    The catfish farmer, however, said the vocation was now more expensive to run than before as a result of the high cost of feeds which he said was reducing profits in the business.

    Amos said a lot of fish farmers in the Dadin Kowa/Kwadom axis needed government’s support to rear fish in large scale to contribute to efforts toward boosting food security and providing employment opportunities for youths.

    He appealed to the Gombe State Government to give fish farmers training on how to use local food ingredients to make fish feeds.

    Amos advised youths and civil servants in the state to leverage on opportunities that agriculture particularly fish farming provides to get alternative means of income.

    “ I have been advising youths to go into fish farming or agriculture, they must not wait for white-collar jobs.

    “Start small fish farming within your environment and with time you will see the benefit. The profit in agriculture is far greater than some white-collar jobs,” he said.

  • APC wins all 11 Chairmanship, 114 Councillorship Seats in Gombe LG Poll

    APC wins all 11 Chairmanship, 114 Councillorship Seats in Gombe LG Poll

    The Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) on Saturday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of all the 11 Local Government Councils seats in the just concluded election.

    The GOSIEC Chairman, Saidu Shehu Awak who made the declaration after the collation of results as submitted by the 11 local government electoral officers, also announced the APC as winner of all the 114 Councillorship positions.

    The Chairman, in accordance with section 26, sub sections 1 and 2 of the Gombe state Independent Electoral Commission Law 2013 as amended, and as the chief returning officer of the Commission, declared the following candidates of the APC who scored the highest number of votes as winners.

    1. Akko LGA: Abubakar Usman- Barambu Chairman with Mahmud Saleh Tabra as Deputy Chairman

    2. Balanga LGA: Garba Umar as Chairman with Salamu Ezikiel as Deputy Chairman

    3. Billiri LGA: Margaret Bitrus as Chairman with Rev. Panuel Nicodemus Lashobok as Deputy Chairman

    4. Dukku LGA: Jamilu Ahmed Shabewa as Chairman with Umar Manu Malala as Vice Chairman

    5. Furnakaye LGA: Ibrahim Adamu Cheldu as Chairman with Mu’azu A. Yahaya Tongo as Deputy Chairman

    6. Gombe LGA: Aliyu Usman Haruna as Chairman with Gambo Sulaiman Garko as Deputy Chairman

    7. Kaltungo LGA: Faruk Aliyu Umar as Chairman with Solomon Lande as Deputy

    8. Kwami LGA: Ibrahim Buba as Chairman with Muhammadu Musa Kolo as Deputy

    9. Nafada LGA:
    Musa Abubakar as Chairman with Salisu Shuaibu Dandele as Deputy Chairman

    10. Shongom LGA: Yohannah Nahar as Chairman with Ambrose Alfred ( Bobby) as Deputy Chairman

    11. Yamaltu Deba LGA:
    Shuaibu Umar Galadima as Chairman with Garba Usman as Deputy Chairman.

    The GOSIEC Chairman said three political parties that participated in the elections included the APC, PDP, and PRP.

    The announcement and declaration was made in the presence of leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council ( IPAC), members of the Civil Society, the Media, the Nigeria Police and other security outfits as well as representatives of candidates.

  • Farmer kills Gombe Okada rider, sells motorbike for N120,000

    Farmer kills Gombe Okada rider, sells motorbike for N120,000

    The Gombe State Police Command, on Thursday, exhibited a 37-year-old farmer, identified as Ephraim Kadiri, over the killing of an Okada rider in Gombe.

    Exhibiting the suspect at the state command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Shehu Maikudi, said the suspect took the motorcycle to where it was sold for N120,000.

    Maikudi said the Okada rider was hacked down and the motorcycle stolen, adding that it took the police much effort to rescue the suspect from an angry mob from attacking the divisional police station over the incident.

    The CP stated, “He (Kadiri) was the one, who almost caused mayhem for us yesterday (Wednesday) in Billiri after killing a commercial motorcyclist and stealing his motorcycle. Restive youths in Billiri thought we were not doing enough and attempted to attack the police station. We had to deploy our men there; the Area Commander had to speak to the youth as well as engage the stakeholders in the town to calm the situation.

    “Policemen were later deployed to Cham, where the suspect was arrested in a hotel, but he had sold the motorcycle at Laraban Lamurde.”

    Also paraded was a 21-year-old SS3 pupil, Babayo Yahaya, who was allegedly caught with 107 tramadol capsules and 59 sachets of Exole and N400,000 used to bribe the police.

    “Babayo Yahaya was arrested based on credible intelligence. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a dealer in illicit substances for over two years in Gombe and environs,” he added. ,,

     

     

  • Photo News: COVID-19 positive student writes WASSCE in hospital ward

    Photo News: COVID-19 positive student writes WASSCE in hospital ward

    A final year student of GSSS Gombe who tested POSITIVE for COVID-19 sat for West African Senior Secondary Examination (WASSCE) Mathematics paper on Monday.

    The boy was isolated on Sunday, the authorities allowed him to write his paper, in isolation on Monday.

    His invigilator was well protected to supervise him.

    His story was brought to Twitter by Gombe State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC).

    “Health and education are a priority in Gombe State”, PHEOC wrote on Twitter.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that WASSCE commenced nationwide on Monday, August 17, 2020 under strict COVID-19 guidance.

     

  • 601 ‘deradicalised’ Boko Haram members graduate in Gombe

    601 ‘deradicalised’ Boko Haram members graduate in Gombe

    The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Major General Bamidele Shafa disclosed on Saturday that 601 deradicalised ex Boko Haram combatants has graduated at the DRR camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe.

    Out of the 601 graduates of the batch 4 client which arrived in 2 chalk on 27 November and 14 December 2019 592 are Nigerians from 10 states of the federation while 14 are foreign Nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

    Out of this number, three died of health complications while one was referred for further medical treatment at the Neuro-psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri.

    Shafa said another one was withdrawn on disciplinary ground and transferred for re-categorization and prosecution.

    “On arrival at the camp, the clients went through documentation processes to obtain vital background information after which they were subjected to comprehensive medical screening to determine their health status

    “Their DNA samples were also collected while their biometrics were captured on National Data using the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) facilities for future references. The background information serves as guide for the experts; Local Treatment Team (LTT) to properly place the clients for treatment therapies and vocational training. The LTT are specialised experts in various fields of deradicalisation and rehabilitation therapies drawn from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS),” he said.

  • JUST IN: CBN office gutted by fire

    JUST IN: CBN office gutted by fire

    A raging inferno on Friday gutted a section of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Gombe branch destroying the office of the Branch Controller.

    According to reports and eyewitnesses, a number of staff members were injured in the incident but did not disclosed their identity even as he begged for anonymity.

    Some of the injured staff and those who inhaled carbon monoxide have been rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe for medical attention.

    However, sources confirm that the inferno did not extend to the vault and other important areas.

    “So far no life was lost but due to the smoke, some were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe for resuscitation. It majorly the office of the controller that was affected destroying documents but it didn’t extend to the vault,” the source stated.

    Meanwhile a tweet by the Central Bank of Nigeria has denied loss of lives adding that the incident was caused by electrical fault.

    “Today, a minor fire incident was reported at our Gombe branch. The fire which started from an electrical fault and partially destroyed some furniture in the Branch Controller’s office, was promptly put out. There was no injury and no record or other asset of the Bank was affected,” said the tweet

  • COVID-19: Gombe records 7 deaths, says taskforce

    COVID-19: Gombe records 7 deaths, says taskforce

    Gombe State Taskforce on COVID-19 says it has recorded seven deaths related to COVID-19 in the state.

    Prof. Idris Mohammed, chairman of the taskforce stated this in Gombe on Wednesday while briefing newsmen.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that three deaths were initially reported, and the state recorded additional four recently, bringing the total to seven.

    He said out of the seven deaths recorded, three were from community transmission because they did not have any record of travelling.

    He said so far, there were only 23 active cases in the state that were on admission at Specialist, Federal Teaching Hospital and Kwadon Isolation centres Gombe.

    He further expressed concern over the way people were conducting their businesses in the state without the fear of the pandemic.

    Idris said the negative attitude of members of the public was worrisome because they were frustrating the efforts of the taskforce that was going round the communities for contact tracing.

    “Members of the community were frustrating the efforts of taskforce who were out for contact tracing.

    “Community transmission can only be checked if they cooperate with health workers who were out for contact tracing,” he said.