TheNewsGuru

Tag: gombe

  • Like Borno! Adamawa, Gombe states suspends lockdown, lift ban on religious activities

    Like Borno! Adamawa, Gombe states suspends lockdown, lift ban on religious activities

    Adamawa and Gombe States have joined Borno States among the northeastern states to Suspend the lockdown orders meant to tame the spread of Covid-19.

    Adamawa state governor Ahmadu Fintiri announced the suspension of the Lockdown in his state in a statement sent to TNG on Thursday evening.

    According to Fintiri, “….Churches, mosques and the international cattle markets under lockdown can now reopen, but must ensure social distancing with no more than fifty people at a time. Other measures include provision of hand sanitizers or washing of hands and temperature checks at the point of entry”

    He added that “….Government now believe s the contagion rate is low enough to justify a cautious easing of the restriction, but warned that citizens must work extra hard on personal hygiene and strict adherence to laid down guidelines….’

    For it’s part the Gombe State Government announced the suspension of lockdown in the state after a meeting with religious leaders in Gombe. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also in a statement said places of worship could be opened, only when members wear face masks, keep social and physical distance, as well as maintain regular hands washing and the use of hand sanitizers.

    Governor Yahaya said members of aid groups in mosques and the Boys Brigade in churches would be trained to ensure full compliance and the enforcement of the protective measures.

    He said face masks would be distributed across all worship centres, but urged people to make durable face masks for themselves, so that they could rewash and reuse.

    The Gombe State Governor also said, “whenever the commodities were supplied to the state, the places of worship would be given their own share”.

    He, however, warned that any violation of the measures would force him to reverse the decision to ease the lockdown, because “he would not afford to compromise the health of the people of the state”.

    The Governor cited examples in some parts of the world, where such ease was introduced, only to escalate the rate of infections in those countries.

    He called on the religious leaders to ensure that the conditions agreed on by both religions in the state were adhered to.

  • Trouble in Northern Nigeria (Video): Protesters dare Covid-19, storm Gombe Isolation Center, demand release of patients

    Trouble in Northern Nigeria (Video): Protesters dare Covid-19, storm Gombe Isolation Center, demand release of patients

    Protest against Covid-19 in Gombe – Despite the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria, the poor awareness at the grassroots has continued to mar the battle against the deadly virus in the country.

    In Gombe State, a video has captured the stark display of a dangerous trend in northern Nigeria where people are yet to believe in the existence of Coronavirus.

    As seen in a footage obtained by TheNewsGuru (TNG), hundreds of protesters invaded the Gombe State Infectious Disease Hospital in Kwando and were poised to set Covid-19 patients free while describing the response by the state government to the coronavirus pandemic as a process to siphon state’s funds.

    According to the voices of the protesters in the video (Most spoke in Hausa language), TNG after interpreting, learnt that the protesters were demanding for the release of some persons in the Isolation Centre – labeling the whole activities by the government on Covid-19 as another scheme to embezzle state’s funds.

    One of the protesters stated that about 52 persons, majorly travelers were kept in the Isolation Centre without food and care but the state government alleged that it spent over N10m naira on each patient.

    Watch video:

  • COVID-19: Adamawa denies receiving 42 patients from Gombe

    COVID-19: Adamawa denies receiving 42 patients from Gombe

    The Adamawa state Government on Sunday denied receiving 42 COVID-19 patients from Gombe state government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an online paper on Saturday reported the alleged transfer of the patients by Gombe state.

    Reacting to the development, Mr Basheer Ahmed, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, described the reports as “untrue”.

    Ahmed, who is the Adamawa Chairman of COVID-19 Containment Committee, told NAN that the state received only 38 travellers from Gombe.

    He said that the samples of the travellers were sent to Abuja laboratory for test and results of 29 came back as negative.

    “It is incorrect to say 42 COVID-19 patients of Adamawa origin were handed over to Adamawa government from Gombe state.

    “During lockdown the governors had agreed on interstate travel ban and all persons travelling to a state are to be quarantined and observed for 14 days.

    “And based on this protocol, Gombe state had actually handed over 38 of such travellers of Adamawa origin to us,” Ahmed said.

    He further stated that based on the advice of World Health Organisation technical partners, the remaining nine travellers were advised to go on self-isolation for 14 days.

  • Alleged Signature Forgery: Gombe ward chairman suspended over Rep Kumo’s forged suspension notice

    Alleged Signature Forgery: Gombe ward chairman suspended over Rep Kumo’s forged suspension notice

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Kumo East ward in Akka Local Government off Gombe State Thursday suspended Chairman of Kumo East ward Mr Musa Barade for allegedly forging signatures of other ward executives that led to the suspension of Rep Usman Bello Kumo on Thursday

    Rising from a meeting held on the issue, the ward members distanced themselves from the purported dismissal of the member representing Akko Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Usman Bello Kumo from the party, saying the ward’s chairman Musa Barade and six others acted illegal.

    APC Secretary Kumo East, Shu’aibu Adamu made this known during a press briefing organized by the ward executives at the state party secretariat Gombe.

    Twenty of the Ward Exco members who rallied support for Hon. Kumo faulted the purported dismissal alleging that their signatures were forged by a few aggrieved members.

    Adamu said “Some unscrupulous elements in the party forged our signatures and purportedly expelled Usman Bello Kumo from the party. This was done without our knowledge.”

    The secretary added that “for this damage of reputation and credibility, we therefore suspend Musa Barade as APC chairman Kumo East ward for six months with effect from today, 2nd of April, 2020.”

    He said their support remains with Usman Bello Kumo as member representing Akko Federal constituency and are satisfied with his style of representation.

    He called on the public to disregard any story on expulsion of Usman Bello Kumo from the party, a story he described as baseless and untrue.

    Similarly Akko Local Government APC chairman Usman Ahmad Kumo, said some unscrupulous elements are trying to cause havoc in the party, and they are ready to deal with them.

    Ahmad Kumo added that their loyalty remains with the state party leader.

  • Coronavirus: Gombe suspends payment of new minimum wage, slashes salaries

    Coronavirus: Gombe suspends payment of new minimum wage, slashes salaries

    Gombe State suspended payment of the N30,000 minimum wage on Saturday following dwindling finances due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic on the economy.

    Mr Manassah Jatau, the state Deputy Governor, said at a press briefing on Saturday in Gombe, that the decision was taken after consultation with the standing committee on minimum wage and relevant stakeholders.

    According to him, the suspension of the new minimum wage will take effect from March.

    “The minimum wage increment and its consequential adjustments adopted by the state have been suspended until when the economy of the state improves.

    “The Ministry of Finance is to review the 2020 budget to reflect the reduction in the price of oil in the international market and subsequent adoption of 30 dollars per barrel benchmark by the Federal Government.

    “In view of the above, all salaries of political office holders and Permanent Secretaries will be reviewed accordingly as a sacrifice to the state”, the deputy governor said.

    He said that the state revenue service would be strengthened to perform better with a view to reducing the state’s over reliance on Federal allocations.

    Jatau added that the government would announce new austerity measures to further reduce financial leakage and enhance savings for execution of necessary capital projects.

    Mr Mohammed Musa, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called on civil servants to remain calm and appreciate the current situation the state government had found itself.

    “At the last federation allocation, Gombe State lost N800 million from its allocation due to the dwindling oil price at the international market,’’ he said.

    The NLC chairman assured workers that the suspension is temporary, as full implementation of the minimum wage and payment of all arrears will commence when the state’s financial situation improves.

  • Procession: We lost 15 members in Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi others – IMN

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has claimed that 15 of its members were killed during the Ashura mourning procession on Tuesday in Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto and others.

    It also claimed that several people sustained gunshots injury, fearing that casualty figure may rise.

    The movement said three people were killed by the police in Kaduna and 10 others injured some fatally when thousands of Muslim brothers and sisters trooped out in the early hours of Tuesday.

    Spokesman of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said in a statement “In Bauchi, reports also have it that three people were killed during the Ashura procession when the police attacked the mourners. Likewise three other people were killed by the police in Azare, also in Bauchi state.

    “Another three people were killed by the police in Gombe, Gombe state.

    “One person was reportedly killed by the police in Illela, during the Ashura procession there and another person was killed in Goronyo all in Sokoto state.

    “In Malumfashi, Katsina state also another person was killed. In Katsina town however, several people sustained bullet wounds when the police opened fire on the mourners, not only during the mourning procession, but afterwards as the well- armed policemen attempted to forcibly make their way into the Islamic centre of the Movement.

    “These casualty figures may however rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds sustained by some of the peaceful mourners.

    “This year’s Ashura procession was held in all the state capitals of the North and Abuja.

    “It ended peacefully in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi, Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and Potiskum.

    “Today’s show of shame and rage by the police across the states was sequel to the tragic orders given to it by the Inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu to brutally attack the peaceful Ashura mourners.

    “That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties.

    “We are grateful to Allah the Almighty that has granted us the courage to come out in several cities and villages across the country to commemorate the brutal killing of Ima1m Hussein (AS), the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) as it is done in several cities across the globe, despite intimidation and threats by the federal government and its agents, acting on behalf of the Saudis by proxy.”

  • Appeal Court upholds Bello Kumo’s election as Gombe rep

    Appeal Court upholds Bello Kumo’s election as Gombe rep

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Plateau state has upheld the election of Hon Usman Bello Kumo, member of the House of Representatives from Akko federal constituency of Gombe State.

    The court gave the judgement on Monday after it dismissed an application challenging Kumo’s election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The court upheld the decision of the National Assembly petitions tribunal which had affirmed the victory of Kumo in the National Assembly elections.

    Hon. Aishatu Mohammed Ahmad of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of the APC candidate.

    Ahmad had asked the court to quash the Kumo’s election and declare him winner instead.

    In her eight grounds of appeal, she had argued among other things that Kumo was not fit to contest the election.

    But the tribunal dismissed her appeal after declining jurisdiction on the matter.

    It had also ruled that the issue was a pre-election matter and not a post-election matter.

    Dissatisfied by the judgement, Ahmad proceeded to the tribunal where she insisted she had enough grounds to contest Kumo’s victory.

    Recall that the Supreme Court had in a pre-election matter upheld the emergence of Kumo as the candidate of the APC.

    The court had upheld his emergence following an application seeking its nullification on the ground that Kumo joined the APC only eight months to the primaries.

    The apex court, however, recognized him as the party’s authentic candidate after ruling that the APC duly conducted primary election and submitted his name as its flag bearer.

  • Gombe will go ahead with Ruga scheme – Gov. Yahaya

    Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has expressed reservation over the suspension of the Ruga settlement scheme by the Federal Government, saying Gombe state will go ahead with the scheme.
    The governor stated this after a closed meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
    `Ruga Settlement’ is a rural settlement in which animal farmers/herders stay in an designated place provided with basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets among others.
    However, the initiative has elicited nationwide controversy.
    Buhari had on Wednesday suspended the `Ruga Settlement’ Programme initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in preference for the National Economic Council (NEC)’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).
    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi announced the President’s position after a meeting of the NEC Committee of Farmers/Herders Crisis Chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    Umahi said that the NLTP would be all inclusive, adding that it was for states that were willing to key into the programme.
    However, Yahaya, who spoke in Hausa language, said: “President Buhari’s intention on the Ruga settlement scheme is laudable and the people of Gombe, who are predominantly Fulanis will definitely key into it.
    “As I speak to you now, Gombe state government has set aside over 200,000 hectare of land for the implementation of the Ruga Settlement scheme in the state.
    “So, because some states rejected the scheme doesn’t mean that Gombe state will not go ahead to implement it.
    “Up till now, I don’t want to believe that the pilot scheme has been suspended. We are going to continue with it, because to us it’s a very good initiative in view of the hardship our people (herdmen) are now facing.
    “We need to find a lasting solution to their predicaments so as to save their lives because they are Nigerians too.
    “So, I don’t want to believe that the president has suspended the scheme – this is worrisome and may be inimical to our people,’’ he said.
    The governor reiterated the determination of the state government to partner with the Buhari administration for speedy transformation of the state.
    On Dadin Kowa Dam project, the governor revealed the water scheme had been resuscitated, saying that 40 million litres of water was being pumped daily for domestic consumption in Gombe and its environs.

  • President Buhari mourns as Gombe holds funerals

    President Buhari mourns as Gombe holds funerals

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again expressed deep sorrow over the death of members of the Boys and Girls Brigade in Gombe State at their funeral today.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday night, said Buhari made his feelings known in a message to the families and friends of the victims at their funeral on Saturday.

    Nine of the youths being buried were killed following a dispute between members of the brigade and a security operative while on a procession to mark Easter.

    Buhari said that his heart was filled with the pain that the families of the victims were facing as they buried these promising youngsters.

    He, however, urged them to be consoled by the fact the “entire nation is with you as experience this sad, indescribable loss.

    ”May the Almighty God comfort you at this difficult time”.

    The presidential aide also quoted the President as expressing shock over the reported tensions in the state capital which had led to the imposition of a curfew by the local authorities.

    Buhari, therefore, directed ”security agencies in the state to ensure that vigilance is maintained”.

  • Easter accident: Gombe Govt. imposes curfew as remains of Boys Brigade are buried

    The Gombe State Government has imposed a curfew on the Gombe metropolis, effective from Saturday to 6:00 am on Sunday.

    The directive was given in a statement signed by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Mr James Pisagih in Gombe.

    The acting SSG stated that the situation would be reviewed after restoration of normalcy.

    “After due consultation with the Heads of security agencies in the state in response to the prevailing security situation in the state, especially Gombe metropolis.

    “Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo has approved the imposition of curfew in Gombe metropolis with immediate effect from today April 27 to 28 6:00 a.m,” he stated.

    He stated that only officials on essential services were allowed to move around and they must produce evidence of such.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on April 22, a vehicle killed ten members of the Boys Brigade during Easter procession in the metropolis, while 30 others sustained various degree of injuries.

    NAN also reports that tension was raised by some youths when the BB members were being taken for burial from the State Specialist Hospital at Jekadafari Quarters of the state capital, leading to the curfew.