Tag: Gombe

  • Trouble for NNPP as Gombe Chairman Decamps To APC

    Trouble for NNPP as Gombe Chairman Decamps To APC

    The Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Gombe State, Maikano Umar, has resigned as the chairman of the party in the state as well as his membership of the party.

    Umar, who announced his resignation in a letter he personally signed on Friday, also disclose that he is joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    On why he is leaving the NNPP to APC, Umar said his decision is due to lack of political focus, leadership direction and clear blueprint by the Governorship candidate of the party in Gombe State, Hon. Khamisu Mailantarki, whom he claimed hasn’t explained how he will move the state forward and address its challenges if elected.

    “I cannot be where rhetorics and lies take the centre stage at campaigns and political engagements rather than speaking on the roadmap and blueprints to addressing issues of governance and development.

    “I have come to the realisation that Govenor Inuwa Yahaya is a focused and visionary leader championing the cause of development in Gombe State, providing good governance and democracy dividends,” Umar said.

    He added that as against the NNPP, APC is a party for reasonable and patriotic people focusing on development rather than hoodwinking the electorate with rhetorics and lies.

    He promised to provide further insights in due course.

  • Again, Atiku’s campaign team attacked in Gombe

    Again, Atiku’s campaign team attacked in Gombe

    No fewer than three persons on Monday sustained varying degrees of injury in a clash involving a local gang, Kalare Boys, and supporters of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was in Gombe, for his presidential campaign.

    Three vehicles, a bus, a car and one Keke NAPEP, were damaged as they were ambushed along Pantami Stadium Road.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Usman Muritala, said he was not aware since he was not included in the campaign planning.

    “I was not on the podium and was only there as an official of the party so I sat like every other person to watch the whole show. There is a division in the party, a very big one,” he said.

    Trouble began after Abubakar left with his entourage through Gate Number Two of Pantami Stadium for Bauchi.

    The Kalare boys, who were armed with cutlasses, swords, clubs and other weapons, pounced on innocent party supporters, who were on their way to their respective houses.

    The police, who were manning Gate Number One of the stadium, quickly dispersed a detachment of armed policemen to the second gate to provide security for supporters, who were rushing back into the stadium for safety.

    Many supporters were stranded at the stadium waiting for the police to restore peace and order as the Kalare boys blocked the route to Pantami Market and Government House, attacking passersby.

    Some PDP women supporters had to attach themselves with police vans to avoid being attacked by the thugs.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said he was in a programme and could not confirm the clash.

  • Dr Gwamna Cleared As One Of PDP Aspirants In Gombe – Shawai

    Dr Gwamna Cleared As One Of PDP Aspirants In Gombe – Shawai

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    A frontline aspirant for the governorship seat in Gombe State, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna was cleared by the party to contest the 2023 Gombe Governorship election.

    This was disclosed by the director of publicity, Dr. Gwamna campaign organisation Ibrahim Sani Shawai in a press release that he signed and issues to newsmen, adding that the screening exercise was hitch-free, peaceful and successful.

    In his remarks, while chatting with journalists shortly after the screening, which was held Thursday in Bauchi, Dr Gwamna described his clearance as “a good step towards greatness for the good people of Gombe State” adding that the exercise has renewed hopes that good things are coming to Gombe through the PDP.

    He expressed delight that the party had ensured due process and exhibited open-door approach to screening which is a sign of victory for the party in the North east Zone and Nigeria come 2023.

    Gwamna, who is also the Sardauna of Gombe said with the way the party was carrying everyone along and unifying members, he was optimistic that the PDP will have a clean sweep in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.

    He appealed to residents of Gombe State to be guided as the election year draws near, adding that “capacity, antecedents and people-oriented programmes and policies should take centre stage when making choices in a democracy and this is what I represent and will bring to the table come 2023 by Allah’s Grace.” He concluded.

  • Mother, daughter and one other dies as Transformer explodes in Gombe

    Mother, daughter and one other dies as Transformer explodes in Gombe

    On Wednesday an explosion from the Electricity transformer at Yaunde Tumfure akko Local Government Area of Gombe State occured, leaving three persons dead, including a mother and daughter.

    According to sources, the incident happened when a transformer exploded due to the heavy wind that blew the high tension cables to touch the service line that brought power to the transformer.

    Our Correspondent gathered that the mother of four, identified as Mrs Patrick woke up following the power surge to switch off her refrigerator, got electrocuted and her daughter who went to touch the deceased at midnight was also electrocuted and died.

    One other person in the neighbourhood, while trying to switch off his electrical gadget also was electrocuted; one other house owned by a Pastor was reportedly razed.

    The Gombe State Public Relations Officer,ASP Mahid Muazu, confirmed the incident and that the three were confirmed dead at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe.

  • Goal feast in Kano as Gombe, Sokoto outplay Kaduna, Adamawa in Ramat Cup tourney

    Goal feast in Kano as Gombe, Sokoto outplay Kaduna, Adamawa in Ramat Cup tourney

    By Mike Oboh

    True to prediction, fans of youth football got more than what they bargined for on Tuesday as participating teams in this year’s Ramat Cup tournament gave a very good account of themselves on Day 3

    39 goals were scored by the various teams at the.Mahaha Sports complex in Kano, as they become desperate to make the quarter-finals stage

    Gombe U-16 team that won their first match 2-0 against Adamawa on Monday, were ruthless against Kaduna scoring 5 unreplied goals
    They now have 6 points from 2 matches.

    Sokoto that lost 3-1 to Kaduna on Sunday fought back strongly to defeat Adamawa 4-0. With 3 points in their kitty, the Tambuwal Babes say they are ready against Gombe, in their Wednesday’s encounter

    Defending Champions Kwara got a scare of their lives also on Tuesday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by FCT but later made up with a formidable display against Bauchi that they defeated 3-0 in their next match
    Kwara now have 7 points and will now play Yobe for the quarter-finals ticket, since they won their opening game 3-0 against Rivers State.

    The shocking result of the day was the defeat of the host team Kano. They lost 1-0 to their kebbi counterparts but later defeated Zamfara 2-0 to ease qualification tension. They however need to complete their efforts with a win against Nasarawa on Wednesday to move into quarter-finals
    Jigawa and Abia have a heculean task ahead of them. They must beat Ogun and Sokoto respectively to be guaranteed a chance in the quarter-finals

    In Wednesday’s matches Katsina will play Plateau, while Kaduna take on Adamawa. It will be Bauchi versus Yobe and Ekiti against FCT amongst Others

    The excitement is really infectious and everybody is getting consumed.
    The YSFON organised Football tournament is truly yielding the desired dividend but stakeholders warn that except Nigerian football authorities maximize the gains of grassroots development,the nation will continue to lag behind in world football

  • NIMASA Donates Relief Materials COVID-19 PPEs to Borno, Yobe, Gombe States.

    NIMASA Donates Relief Materials COVID-19 PPEs to Borno, Yobe, Gombe States.

    By Ali Musa Biu- maiduguri

    As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh on Tuesday donated relief items, covid-19 Personal Protection Equipments, PPEs and other Rapid testing kits worth millions of naira to Borno, Yobe and Gombe states.

    Handing over the items for onward distribution to beneficiaries, especially Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs at the warehouse, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation in Maiduguri, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum thanked NIMASA for complimenting efforts of the state government towards managing the over 12 years Boko Haram crisis.

    The Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Isa Hussaini Marte recall that, NIMASA has since sponsored quite a number of Borno students who are currently undergoing studies at various institutions in India and Greece.

    He added that, this gesture is timely, in view of the massive reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs back to their liberated communities by the present administration.

    “On behalf of Government and the people of Borno State, we commend the DG of NIMASA and his team for their unflinching support to our IDPs.

    “This is not the first time NIMASA is supporting the present administration, it has since sponsored quite a number of Borno students who are currently undergoing studies at various institutions in India and Greece, we are very grateful indeed.”  Zulum said.

    He promised that the items donated would be distributed judiciously for the benefit of humanity.

    Introducing the NIMASA team who were in Maiduguri for the official handing over, the Commissioner of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties, Engr Kabir Wanori, acknowledged the cordial working relationship that exists between his ministry and NIMASA, which he noted, have brought about more development in the state.

    In his address, the DG NIMASA, who was represented by the Executive Director Operations of the Agency, Shehu Ahmed said, NIMASA under the leadership.of Dr. Bashir Jamoh has decided to donate Small and Medium Scale, SME machines, relief materials to IDPs, Educational materials to Primary and Post Primary Institutions as well as Covid -19 PPEs and Test Kits to Borno, Yobe and Gombe states as part of its CSR and to compliment the efforts of the benefitting state governments.

    “We are here to witness the flag off and handing over of multi million naira SME, relief materials donated by NIMASA to Borno, Yobe and Gombe states.

    “In Borno state, our DG has directed my to hand over some assorted numbers of grinding, sewing, vulcanizing, water surface and welding machines as part of SME interventions for our IDPs. Others include; Tricycles, motorcycles, generator sets, hair dressing/ clippers and accessories.

    “We are also handing over bags of rice, sugar, maize, millet, beans, cartons of maggi, spaghetti and other condiments as relief items.

    “Others include Covid -19 PPEs and Rapid Test Kits, detergents, mosquito nets for our health workers and teaching materials such as desk top HP computers, textbooks, white/green Boards and many instructional materials to our Primary and Secondary Schools across the state.

    “I want to inform you that similar items are to be handed over to Governments of Yobe and Gombe state respectively.” He said.

  • Hoodlums set ablaze PDP secretariat in Gombe

    Hoodlums set ablaze PDP secretariat in Gombe

    The Gombe state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party was on Tuesday morning set ablaze by some suspected political thugs.

    The PDP office which is situated along Gombe/Bauchi expressway as well as Atiku House were both set on fire damaging documents, chairs and other valuables.

    A supporter of the party, Muntari Kulsi, explained that the office was set on fire at about 1:30 am, stressing that the secretariat was in about 1:20 am before he left the office.

    He said revealed that the suspected hoodlums are members of the All Progressives Congress, noting that it would be incomprehensible for both offices to be affected at the same time when they are not closely situated.

    Kulsi said, “The source is All Progressives Congress and its people. Both offices that are about four kilometres away from each other cannot naturally catch fire at once”.

    “Our guys here saw the thugs, they came in three cars with several weapons, the security guard stationed at the office was overpowered by the thugs and had to run for their lives.”

    According to him, while men of the fire service close to the office tried to contain the fire, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Pantami division played useful roles.

    He said, “We are just waiting for our leaders to decide on what to do, but we all knew people that did this and we go after them”.

    However, efforts made to reach Muritala Usman, Publicity Secretary of the party as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.

    Observations by our correspondent indicated that the PDP would initiate a protest to seek justice, while also, the Atiku Campaign Organization is set to address the public on its resolve.

    Reacting to the allegation, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Moses Kyari said the party has no hand in the destruction of the PDP secretariat and campaign office in the state, adding that their office was also affected.

    He revealed that their office was attacked earlier by those he said were identified by the Closed-Circuit Camera.

    Kyari said, “There is a tiny line with what transpired. Our own office was also burnt at about 12 midnight and as the act was been done, we have footages of who carried out the attack.

    “Their own office they claim was burnt around 2 am by unknown people, possibly members of the PDP. But for us, we have video clips of who burnt our office and we have presented them to the police. The APC has no hand in the burning of their state secretariat.” set ablaze PDP secretariat in Gombe*

    The Gombe state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party was on Tuesday morning set ablaze by some suspected political thugs.

    The PDP office which is situated along Gombe/Bauchi expressway as well as Atiku House were both set on fire damaging documents, chairs and other valuables.

    A supporter of the party, Muntari Kulsi, explained that the office was set on fire at about 1:30 am, stressing that the secretariat was in about 1:20 am before he left the office.

    He said revealed that the suspected hoodlums are members of the All Progressives Congress, noting that it would be incomprehensible for both offices to be affected at the same time when they are not closely situated.

    Kulsi said, “The source is All Progressives Congress and its people. Both offices that are about four kilometres away from each other cannot naturally catch fire at once”.

    “Our guys here saw the thugs, they came in three cars with several weapons, the security guard stationed at the office was overpowered by the thugs and had to run for their lives.”

    According to him, while men of the fire service close to the office tried to contain the fire, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Pantami division played useful roles.

    He said, “We are just waiting for our leaders to decide on what to do, but we all knew people that did this and we go after them”.

    However, efforts made to reach Muritala Usman, Publicity Secretary of the party as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.

    Observations by our correspondent indicated that the PDP would initiate a protest to seek justice, while also, the Atiku Campaign Organization is set to address the public on its resolve.

    Reacting to the allegation, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Moses Kyari said the party has no hand in the destruction of the PDP secretariat and campaign office in the state, adding that their office was also affected.

    He revealed that their office was attacked earlier by those he said were identified by the Closed-Circuit Camera.

    Kyari said, “There is a tiny line with what transpired. Our own office was also burnt at about 12 midnight and as the act was been done, we have footages of who carried out the attack.

    “Their own office they claim was burnt around 2 am by unknown people, possibly members of the PDP. But for us, we have video clips of who burnt our office and we have presented them to the police. The APC has no hand in the burning of their state secretariat.”

  • BREAKING: Terror herdsmen slaughter scores of villagers in Gombe

    BREAKING: Terror herdsmen slaughter scores of villagers in Gombe

    Suspected terror herdsmen have slaughtered scores of villagers in various parts of Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State while over six survivals with life threatening injuries are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

    Some of the villages which came under attack by the terror group includes, Kolokkwannin, Poshulte, Pokuli, Pandikame, Ayaba, Popandi, Kalmai and Banganje district

    A local source who spoke with NewsBand said that the attack which started since 6th December 2021 lasted till 9th January 2022 with the state government doing nothing to arrest the situation.

    The local source further alleged that state media houses have been barred from airing the attacks and even some concerned individuals that spoke to private media outlets about the disturbing situation are facing harassment from the state government.

    At the time of filing this report, security operatives are yet to be deployed to the affected communities.

  • Wet Season: NGO urge residents of Gombe to plant more trees

    Wet Season: NGO urge residents of Gombe to plant more trees

    A Gombe-based NGO, Jewel Environmental Initiative (JEI), on Tuesday advised residents of Gombe State to seize the opportunity of the wet season to plant more trees in the state.

    Mr Ismail Bima, the NGO’s Chief Executive Officer, in an interview with our correspondent in Gombe, said with the growing threat of desertification, collective effort was needed to reverse the menace.

    Bima said that desertification posed a “very serious challenge to Gombe State, the country and even the world and the pace of land degradation and the impact of climate change are pointers that we need more trees.’’

    He said tree planting had proven to be one of the best strategies in the effort to halt desertification and “that’s why the state government has embarked on massive planting of trees, raising and reviving nurseries”.

    He said that with such efforts from the state government under the ‘Gombe Goes Green (3G)’ initiative, communities, especially in Dukku, Funakaye, Nafada, and Kwami should complement the tree-planting project to support government.

    “The rains are here and as farmers and residents plant their crops, we must also plant trees. It should not be the work of the state government and NGOs only to plant trees.

    “Communities and residents must plant trees in their farmlands and houses as these will help improve the environment and provide the so many benefits that come from trees.’’

    According to him, JEI has planted thousands of tree seedlings in schools and communities and we are still planting because we want our environment to be cared for.

    He noted that agro-forestry which involved growing trees in farmlands by farmers was a good strategy to improve soil and water conditions and increased resilience to droughts and floods.

    He commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for initiating the 3G project to plant one million trees every year, adding that with proper implementation, Gombe State would be greener in the future.

    Bima also advised communities in Gombe State to protect their forest and communities by discouraging indiscriminate felling of trees as well as allocating lands for massive tree planting exercise.

    He also appealed to residents to embrace environment-friendly alternative energy sources of cooking.

    Bima said this would reduce the pressure on wood for cooking purposes, which was the biggest reason for indiscriminate tree felling in rural communities across the state and beyond

  • Group Petitions Rights Commission Over Alleged Rights Violation in Gombe

    Group Petitions Rights Commission Over Alleged Rights Violation in Gombe

    The Civil Society Groups for Peace, Justice and Development has cried out to the National National Human Rights Commission over the alleged infringement of the rights of members of the opposition political parties (PDP) by the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state.

    The group also registered their grievances with the British and American governments, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu and the National Assembly.

    The group has particularly dragged the Governor to the aforementioned persons on behalf of Khalid Muazu Izala who is a chieftain of the peoples democratic party (PDP) and has spent days languishing in the Correctional Centre in Gombe State since 10 of September,2020 until he was released on bail last Tuesday allegedly on the orders of the Governor in breach of sections 39,35,34,41AND 42 of the 1999 constitution.

    The coordinator of the group, Comrade Yusuf Yahuza who spoke to journalists after submitting the petition to Human Rights Commission in Abuja on Thursday claimed that the reason for the arrest and detention of Izala was not unconnected to his constructive criticism of some policies and programmes of Governor Inuwa.

    The group claimed that Izala was arrested and detained on the orders of a Gombe State magistrate court over the usage of his Facebook page to write defamatory statements against one Garba Mohammed Mairago of the All Progressives Congress(APC),Gombe State Chapter.

    The group declared: “It is obvious from the above facts that Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya led administration in Gombe State, Nigeria is by all standards, an antithesis of the ideals of your noble organisation, to wit: the rule of Law, democracy ,equity ,justice, fairness, freedom of all men, regardless of their creed, beliefs, race, cultural, religious and political identities.

    “The inhuman treatment of the Petitioner by the Governor and his cohorts, apart from being an infringement of the Petitioner’s fundamental rights, flies in the face of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) which the Governor by his oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance, swore to abide by; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (which International instruments have been domesticated in Nigeria).

    “Hence,it is our further prayer to your most esteemed organisation that you dissociate your organisation from the policies, programmes and projects of the Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya led administration; call the later out, for its heinous human rights breaches and use all legally permissible means to ensure that the Governor of Gombe State Nigeria is penalized for the said breaches.”

    Continuing, the group noted: “Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya’s administration, which criticisms, the Petitioner is entitled to make,by virtue of his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression, and ultimately, for the purpose of promoting democracy, the rule of Law and sustainable development in Gombe State and indeed, Nigeria.

    “The strange proceeding at the Chief Magistrate’s Court bear visible proof of the Draconian use of executive powers by the Gombe State Governor, against the Petitioner and Impunity continued to reign supreme over the Petitioner’s constitutional rights as guaranteed to him by the constitution.

    “The Petitioner’s arrest and prosecution denied him the right to move and carry out his lawful Business and accordingly, he has been denied any form of earning. The Petitioner continues to wallow in hunger; slept in an overcrowded, poorly lit, insects and rodents infested prison cell, which gory situation, has foisted untold sufferings, physical injuries and psychological trauma on the Petitioner.

    “The Petitioner is one out of the numerous ‘Political prisoners ‘of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya led administration in Gombe State, who constantly exploits the machinery of government to intimidate, harass, torture and imprison members of the political opposition (the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, other concerned citizens who criticize the Governor’s anti masses policies in Gombe State. Governor Yahaya’s credentials of Despondency includes the case of ADAMU BALARABE MAKERA (42year old) and ATIKU BOZA BOZA (28 year old),who as in the instant case, were arrested and detained by Pantami Division Officers of the Nigerian Police Force using the same complainant, Mairago.

    “The duo were later arraigned before the Pantami Area Court ,where the Judge remanded them in the Correctional Centre, Gombe State, upon allegations of having “insulted” Governor Yahaya. They both spent 21days In prison before they gained freedom on 19th March, 2020.”

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