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Gombe government presents relief materials to victims of Adamawa ethnic conflict taking refuge in Gombe communities.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has ordered the distribution of food items and other relief materials to the internally displaced persons affected by recent ethnic crisis in neigboring Adamawa communities who are taking refuge in Jessu and Nyuwar communities of Balanga Local Government area of Gombe state.

To this end, the Secretary of the state Committee on Relief and Palliatives who is also the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Mela Audu Nunghe led other members and State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA Officials to carry out the distribution exercise on behalf of the Chairman, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar lll at Jessu and Nyuwar communities in southern axis of Balanga.

He said the Gombe state Government’s gesture was meant to support the IDPs who helplessly migrated into the state from about 10 communities in Adamawa as a result of ethnic conflict.

The commissioner for Special Duties said residents from border communities of Adamawa that include Zikawon, Mamsirme, Boshikiri, Tarakira, Lafia, Adaka, Jakari, Shibu and Shibirwe approximated at about 3000 are currently taking refuge in the two communities of Jessu and Nyuwar.

Barrister Nunghe affirmed that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is responsive and sensitive to the plight of the people, hence he instructed the committee to support the victims with relief package and further directed that the message of peace and harmony be taken to the 2 communities.

The commissioner added that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has sent his appreciation to the traditional rulers of the 2 areas and their subjects for accomodating and embracing the IDPs with open arms, calling on them to continue in that direction.

Items presented in Jessu community include 60 bags of rice, 60 bags of sugar, 120 bags of maize, 120 cartons of tomatoe paste and 18 jerricans of vegetable oil.

Also,the relief materials presented to Nyuwar community include 40 bags of sugar, 40 bags of rice, 25 bags of maize, 80 cartons of tomato paste and 12 jerricans of vegetable oil.

While applauding the spirit of humanity and compassion demonstrated by the two communities, Barrister Nunghe called for equity and fairness in the distribution of the relief materials, adding that State Emmergecy Management Agency, SEMA officials will be on ground to supervise the exercise.

In their separate remarks, district heads of Jessu, Mr. Laban Binus, represented by Mr. Jatau Busa and his Nyuwar counterpart, Mr. James Pisagi also represented by Mr. Yohanna Galmaka thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his timely intervention and his demonstration of empathy, pledging to ensure judicious distribution of the items.

Some IDPs who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries said the gesture from Gombe state government will make a great impact in mitigating their suffering.

They urged other organizations and public spirited individuals to emulate the Gombe state Governor’s gesture in providing succour to those in need.

Photo credit: Abdul No Shaking

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Ahead of North East Governors’ meeting, SSGs from the region meet in Maiduguri.

Secretaries to State Governments in the North East have converged on Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital for a technical committee meeting preparatory to the North East Governors’ meeting scheduled for Saturday.

The Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi is leading a technical team of technocrats from the State to the meeting is expected to make far reaching contributions on behalf of the Government and people of the State.

In his address of welcome, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa said the technical committee meeting for the SSGs is a prelude to the North East Governors’ meeting which is aimed at reviewing the minutes of the last meeting earlier held in Gombe while preparing agenda for the one in view.

He welcomed the SSGs and members of the technical working committee to Maiduguri.

In a remark, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi noted that this is the first assignment given to the committee after the first meeting of the North East Governors in march this year.

“They rose from that meeting, in which one of the items of the communique was the formation of a technical working committee comprising, Secretaries to State Governments, Senior officers, political office holders in charge of planning in each of the states, as well as focal persons in the North East Development Commission.

Professor Njodi said the technical committee is to prepare the agenda of the meeting and ensure hitch free logistics.

It will be recalled that, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had in March this year hosted his counterparts from the North Eastern states in a maiden meeting where issues concerning the challenges and development of the region were discussed.

The second meeting would be hosted by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

Members of the technical team from Gombe State are;
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi,
Dr. Ishaku Mohammed, Special Adviser Budget Planning and Development Partners, Dr. Mua’zu Shehu, Director General, Research and Documentation and Alhaji Shehu Yerima Abdullahi, Director General/ Coordinator, North East Development Commission.

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Ahead of North East Governors meeting, SSGs from the region meet in Maiduguri.

Secretaries to Governments within the North Eastern States of the Country have converged in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital for a technical committee meeting preparatory to the North East Governors meeting schedule for Saturday.

The Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi is leading a technical committee of technocrats from the State to the meeting and is expected to make far reaching contributions on behalf of the Government and people of the State.

In his address of welcome, the Secretary to the Borno State Government Alhaji, Usman Jidda Shuwa said the technical committee meeting for the SSGs is a prelude to the North East Governor’s meeting which aimed at reviewing the minutes of the last meeting held in Gombe while preparing agenda for the meeting in view.

He welcomed the SSGs and members of the technical working committee to Maiduguri the Borno State capital.

In a remark, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi noted that, this is the first assignment given to the committee after the first meeting of the North East Governors in march this year.

“They rose from that meeting, in which one of the items of the communique was the formation of a technical working committee comprising, Secretaries to State Government, Senior officers, political office holders in charge of planning in each of the states, as well as focal persons in the North East Development Commission.

Professor Njodi said the technical committee is to prepare the agenda of the meeting and ensure a hitch free logistics.

It will be recalled that, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had in March this year hosted his counterpart from the North Eastern states in a maiden meeting where issues concerning the challenges and development of the region were discussed.

The second meeting would be hosted by Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum.

Members of the technical committee from Gombe State are;
The Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi,
Dr. Ishaku Mohammed, Special Adviser Budget Planning and Development Partners, Dr. Abubakar Mua’zu, Director General Research and Documentation and Alhaji Shehu Yerima Abdullahi the Director General of the North East Development Commission.

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Gombe flood victims receive relief materials from NEDC.

Victims of the recent flood disaster in Gombe state have received relief materials from the North East Development Commission, NEDC.

The representative of NEDC in Gombe state, Rufa’i Lawan Babamanu who presented the relief items on behalf of the Director-General of the commission, said his office worked closely with the state Emergency Management Agency, SEMA in the distribution programme to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

He further said the commission’s officials interacted with members of the affected communities to know the items lost to the flood and eventually realized that food stuff and household items were the most affected during the flood aside the damage to the houses.

Presenting the items, Mr Rufa’i said the distribution exercise cuts across all the affected Local Government Areas of Gombe, Yamaltu Deba, Billiri, Nafada and Kwami.

He said about 200 affected persons were identified, screened and cartered for in Bogo communiy of Akko LGA as the first to benefit the gesture while other LGAs will follow.

He indicated that the NEDC, which is an interventionist commission, is on stand by to offer support to any affected community in the state and by extension the entire north east region.

He assured that the commission will continue to parley states in data generation for accuracy and fairness in reaching out to victims of disaster and other vulnerable members of the society in times of need.

The Deputy Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Lamis Benjamin said ever since the unfortunate flood disaster of the 20th July 2020 occurred in Gombe, the agency, at the instance of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya immediately swung into action and visited the ravaged communities where they assessed the damages and identified the victims for documentation and necessary support.

She said ” few days later, the team of Gombe state government jointly revisited the affected communities with officials of NEDC in Bogo area of Akko local government to validate the earlier generated data through community leaders for quick intervention”.

Items presented to the flood victims include wrappers, blankets, bags of rice, beans, vegetable oil among other food items.

Beneficiaries of the gesture, mostly Bogo residents expressed appreciation to the commission and the state government for bringing succour to them.

They particulary commended Gombe state Government for its show of concern since the flood disaster that ravaged their communities.

It may be recalled that Gombe state government had earlier set up a committee under the chairmanship of the state Commissioner of Works to assess the level of damage as well as the affected persons and areas across the state for government’s intervention.

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Governor Inuwa Yahaya grants 230 hectres of land for establishment of Airforce operational base in Gombe.

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has granted 230 hectares of land near Gombe airport along Gombe-Bauchi road for the establishment of Nigerian Airforce Forward Operational Base, FOB in Gombe state to facilitate swifter response in its counter insurgency operations in the North East.

The Governor has also approved a space at the Gombe airport for the smooth take off of a full fledged base that will enhance NAF’s response capability in combating insurgency and other security threats.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya made this known when he received a delegation of Senior officers from the Headquarters of the Nigerian Airforce, led by Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo who were in the State at the instance of Chief of the Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar.

The Governor said the establishment of the NAF FOB in Gombe State, being the centre of the troubled North East will boost security in the State and stability in the region as a whole.

He thanked the Chief of the Air staff for considering Gombe to host the NAF FOB, describing the move as strategic in view of the centrality of Gombe in the North East sub-region and the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

“You all know that we existed as one in the North Eastern days and we share boundaries with all the five other states in the region- Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba states- so this centrality places us at an advantage”.

He however noted that such an advantage comes with added responsibility of having to host internally displaced persons from the neighbouring states due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said the influx of the IDPs into the State equally comes with the challenge of living with people whose real identity cannot be substantiated, adding that lack of organisational capacity and limited resources further leaves the State from achieving much in terms of profiling.

The Governor described Gombe as a peaceful state owing to the fact that the people have accepted and agreed to live in peace with one another regardless of tribal or religious differences.

Governor Yahaya said Gombe is pleased to host individuals who seek refuge in the State but was quick to canvass for more support from Federal Agencies to address some of the inherent challenges, describing the establishment of the FOB as a step in that direction.

The Governor said his administration will continue to run an open door policy and a relationship that is complimentary in nature.

A clear example of such complimentary relationship the Governor said, was the ceding of the NYSC orientation camp built by the State Government some 13 years ago but now being used by the Federal government as a de-radicalization and rehabilitation centre for repentant Boko Haram.

Earlier speaking, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo said the choice of Gombe as a NAF FOB was informed by its strategic location and availability of a suitable airport.

He said the FOB, when established will boost security and ensure stability in the North East sub-region.

“The NAF FOB will facilitate the country’s overall efforts to address the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East in general and enhance security in Gombe state in particular”.

AVM Lubo said going through the field in Borno State he understood that the people of the area are left behind in terms of physical and human capital development, saying there is a strong correlation between under development and conflict of whatever sort.

He however observed that Gombe is lucky to have an administration that is keen and passionate for the socio-economic development of its people.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the title document of the 230 hectares of land allocated by the Governor for the project.

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Covid-19: Gombe palliative committee presents relief materials to motorcycle riders.

In continuation of the 2nd phase of distribution of palliatives to vulnerable groups, Gombe state Government today presented food items and other relief materials to motorcycle riders, popularly called achaba to cushion the socio-economic effect of covid-19 restrictions and other safety measures on their members.

Presenting the relief items to the association’s leadership, a member of the state palliative distribution committee, Alhaji Ali Usman Ashaka who led the exercise on behalf of the Chairman, Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, charged the leadership to ensure judicious distribution of the items to their members.

He said the committee found the association worthy of the gesture considering the vulnerability of its membership in one way or the other, occasioned by the impact of the covid-19 on their operations.

Alhaji Ali Ashaka affirmed that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is passionate in supporting the needy and vulnerables, assuring that such gesture will continue as long as the pandemic lasts.

He also commended Governor Yahaya’s commitment in taking measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Receiving the relief items on behalf of his members, chairman of the Gombe state chapter of National Association Tricycles and Motorcycles Owners and Riders, Malam Hassan Ahmad said he will ensure that the targeted vulnerables amongst them benefit from the Government gesture.

He thanked Gombe state government for including their association among the targeted beneficiaries, saying such will bring succour to them.

Malam Hassan who charged his members to be obedient to constituted authorities, also called on them to continue to abide by rules and guidelines put in place to combat the spread of covid-19.

Items presented to the motorcycle riders include ninety seven (97) bags of rice, two hundred (200) bags of sugar, five hundred (500) cartons of tomato paste, sixty four (64) bags of maize and ten (10) jerricans of vegetable oil.

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Sallah Homage: Gombe SSG receives Senior Staffs in his office pledges harmonious working relationship.

“Barka da Sallah Madakin Kaltungo” These are the words of the Permanent Secretary Special Services and Political Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Umar when he led Senior Staff in the SSG’s Office on a Sallah homage to the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi in his office.

Muhammad Umar Congratulated Professor Njodi for the successful Eid-El-Kabir Sallah Celebration and wish the SSG success in the tasks of governance at all times and prayed God to endow him with wisdom, patience, tolerance and strength.

Responding, an elated Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi thanked the Permanent Secretary and Staff for the visit and appreciate their hard work and dedication to duty, urging them not to relent in putting in their best in the service of their fatherland.

He Congratulated them for the successful Ei-El- Kabir Sallah Celebration.

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EID EL-KABIR: GOMBE SSG CHARGES YOUTHS TO BE OF GOOD CHARACTER.

The Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi has urged youths in the state not be distracted by the long stay at home due to the Coronavirus Pandamic but remain focus by engaging in useful ventures.

Professor Njodi who stated this in a Sallah message also advised the youth to be of good moral values to their parents so as to attract God’s blessings.

“My dear youths, as future leaders of our dear state and our great country Nigeria, i employ you all to keep faith and remain focus in this trying moment of the abrupt closure of Schools due to the Coronavirus Pandamic.
As you are well aware, Government is concern about your safety and its actions is aimed at protecting the lives of the citizenry.

The SSG employ the youth to be of good character and exhibit a habit of hardwork by helping of parents at all times and shun all forms of social Vices which has the potential of ruining their lives.

He use the Eid el-Kabir festival to called for prayers and concerted efforts so that the increasing cases of Social Vices in the state, can be defeated.

Professor Njodi said the present administration under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya will not relent in providing basic social Aminities for the betterment of the people of the State.

While congratulating Muslims for witnessing another Eid El-Kabir Sallah Celebrations the Secretary to the Gombe State Government reminded Ummah of the lessons of the festival which is love, peace and sacrifice.

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Gombe Government partners NBAIS to modernise almajiri system of education.

Gombe State Government is to partner with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, NBAIS to modernize and formalize the Almajiri system of education in the State.

The State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Habu Dahiru stated this in Kaduna when he led Government delegation to the Headquarters of NBAIS to seek partnership with the agency on how the qur’anic education will be better taught and managed.

Dr. Dahiru said Gombe State Ministry of Education is fully aware of the expertise of the board in quality assurance, conduct of examination and issuance of certificates to students of Arabic and Islamic education and therefore will not hesitate to join forces with NBAIS to ensure people who pass through the modern tsangaya schools and found worthy in character and learning are certificated.

“You also know that the teacher is the back bone of the provision of any form of education, the Gombe State Government will also seek the expertise of NBAIS in building the capacity of our teachers in this regard”

He said the State Ministry of Education is aware of the contributions of NBAIS to the success recorded in Arabic and Islamic studies in some states that have partnered with it, adding that Gombe State is desirous to reap from such benefits.

The Commissioner said the present administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is committed to a holistic transformation of the education sector right from the basic level.

He attributed the high number of out of School children in the State to the centrality of Gombe in the North east zone, as a result of which the state grapples with influx of people running from the insurgency affected neighbouring states of Borno Yobe and Adamawa.

In order to address such challenges, the Gombe State Commissioner of Education said, the Inuwa Yahaya-led administration keyed into the Federal Government- World Bank project, Better Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA to mop up out of school children and bring them back to the classroom.

He said the partnership with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, NBAIS is to modernize, standardize and formalize the tsangaya learning system so that those who pass through it can obtain certificate for future challenges.

Also speaking, the Gombe state BESDA Coordinator, Dr. Abdullahi Bappah Garkuwa stated the state Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya is committed to repositioning Almajiri system of education in the State as he intends to establish 11 tsangaya model schools that will accommodate 1000 Almajiri in each local government, which is the first of its kind in the country and will help to sustain the BESDA project on integrating Almajiri to continue with their education.

Dr. Garkuwa disclosed that Gombe State Government is planning a National Summit on Almajiri education.

The commissioner’s delegation comprised of Special Adviser on Budget, Planning and Development Partners Coordination, BESDA coordinator, Representative of alarammas, Permanent member 2 (who represented the SUBEB chairman), the Representative of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi foundation and Representative from sheikh Abdulkadir foundation.

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Gombe Governor felicitates with Muslim ummah on Eid el-Kabir.

Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir sallah celebration.

In a goodwill message, the Governor admonished the faithful to remain steadfast in prayers for peace, prosperity and development of the state as well as for an end to the covid-19 pandemic.

While describing the Eid el-Kabir festivity as a period of sacrifice, sharing and caring, the Governor enjoined the faithful to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love, unity of purpose and obedience as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim ( AS) and upheld by Prophet Muhammad ( SAW).

Governor Yahaya who noted that “although this year’s celebration is coming at a period the world is still grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic and its devastating impact on lives and means of livelihood of the people, such should not distract us from learning the good lessons of the festival which teaches compassion, selfishness, love and obedience to the commands of Almighty Allah “.

The Governor expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community and religious leaders as well as the entire good people of Gombe state for their continued support and cooperation to his administration administration, assuring to continue to remain resolute in his determination to execute people- oriented policies, programmes and projects requisite for the socio-economic development of the state”.

He urged the people to be security conscious and report any act of breach of law and order capable of threatening the prevailing peace in the state, while affirming that, “On our part, Government will not abdicate from its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people and will continue to support the security agencies in their efforts towards ensuring peace and security of our dear state “.

Governor Yahaya also called for prayers for steady rainfall and bumper harvest, urging the the citizenry to keep the environment clean, clear their drainages and avoid flood-prone areas as proactive measures against flood.

On the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Yahaya said although a milestone has been recorded in the efforts to contain the spread of the disease and its socio-economic effect, the citizenry must continue to play their role by complying with the covid-19 safety protocols and guidelines all the times.

He prayed for a hitch-free and peaceful Eid celebration full of blessings and benevolence of Almighty Allah.

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