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Tag: Abdullahi Bego

  • Boko Haram: Don’t panic, Gaidam tell communities

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has urged communities affected by recent Boko Haram attacks not to leave their ancestral homes, assuring them of safety.

    According to the governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, security agencies are working very hard to keep those communities and the entire state safe from insurgents’ attacks.

    The statement added that Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam is particularly worried that people Kukareta, Bunigari and Katarko are leaving their communities for fear of being attacked by the insurgents, despite that fact that he also shares with those concerned.

    Read Also: NAF neutralises scores of bandits in Zamfara

    Gaidam said he has been fully briefed by security chiefs in the state and measures taken to curtail the threats.

    According to the governor: “Following recent incidents involving Boko Haram terrorists in Kuka Reta, Katarko and Bunigari towns of the state, the Yobe State Government wishes to draw the attention of the public in the affected areas and all across the state to the heightened and continued effort of the military and other security agencies to ensure peace, security and the safety of people throughout the state.

    “The Yobe State Government therefore urges that the public remains calm and vigilant.

    “The call becomes necessary following reports that some people in the affected areas were leaving their communities for other areas due to security concerns.

    “While those concerns are understandable, the Yobe State Government urges that people should not panic or leave their communities.

    “In meetings with heads of security and law enforcement, His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has been briefed about the range of efforts that are underway – by the military and all the security agencies on the ground – to approach and contain any threats to security in the state.

    “The Yobe State Government therefore assures that the public can remain confident that those measures are intense and comprehensive and that everything necessary is being done to ensure public safety.

    “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam wishes to extend his deepest appreciation and those of the Yobe State Government to the people for their continuous cooperation with the military and other security agencies, a measure that has resulted in huge security gains at various times.

    “The governor therefore urges the people to sustain and build on this level of cooperation and continue to report to law enforcement if and when they notice anything suspicious in their communities”.

    The Nation reports that Kukareta, Bunigari and Katarko have suffered heavy attacks from the hands of Boko Haram.

    The attacks have recorded the killing of many Nigeria soldiers within a very short time.

  • Gaidam approves N252.9 million for payment of gratuity

    Retirees in Yobe State will have reasons to smile again as Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the sum of over N252.9 million as payment for gratuity to Yobe civil servants who retired.

    The amount will also cover the death benefits of those that have died in the service under the employ of the state government.

    According to a statement signed by Abdullahi Bego, the Director General Media Affairs to Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said a total of 141 retired and deceased civil servants will benefit from the funds.

    The statement added that the latest disbursement is the 12th in the series of similar disbursement of the Gaidam administration which is so far running into billions of naira.

    The statement reads; “ His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the sum of N252, 993, 577.58 as gratuity payments to 141 retired and deceased civil servants whose retirement or death occurred from January to March 2018.

    “The amount also includes five-year pension to the next of kin of the affected deceased civil servants.

    “This is the 12th disbursement of retirement benefits to beneficiaries in a series that had seen the state government spent billions of naira so far.

    Read Also: Why I anointed Mai Mala, by Gaidam

    “The Gratuity Verification Committee set up by His Excellency the governor under the Service Welfare Office is also currently working to verify and recommend for payment the benefits of those who retire or die between April 2018 and August 2018.

    “All payments made so far and those to be made going forward are in keeping with the determination of the Gaidam administration to ensure the welfare and well being of workers in the employ of the state government”.

    One of the retirees who identified himself as Mohammadu Bukar told our correspondent that retirees in Yobe will forever be grateful to what Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam is doing for them in the state unlike in Borno where he said “people retire and die without their benefits”.

    What Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam is doing for retirees in the state here is far better that what our colleagues are going through in other state. We shall forever be grateful to Ibrahim Gaidam.

    “You don’t need to go far to see what i am talking about. Go to Borno here and see what our colleagues are going through. Just last week, they protested against the governor. Some have died after retirement without their benefits. We thank Ibrahim Gaidam for this gesture”, Mohammadu said.

  • Yobe approves N63.5m for free  Ramadan feeding, others

    Ahead of the Ramadan, Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the sum of N65.5 million as part of free Ramadan feeding of less privilege in the state during the Ramadan period.

    According to a statement released by the governor’s spokesman Abdullahi Bego, the feeding exercise and other activities like Tafsir will be carried out by the ministry of Religious Affairs.

    The statement explained that the sum of N48.5 million will be used for the purchase of Rams and cooking condiments in 42 centres while N15 million will be used for the payment of muslim preachers during the period.

    The statement reads: “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved N63.5 million through the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the provision of Ramadan feeding ( Iftar ) to the less privileged in 42 centres across the 17 local government areas of the state and for the conduct of Tafsir during the incoming Holy Month.

    Read Also: Gaidam gets Sudanese varsity honourary degree

    “Of the amount approved by the governor, N48.5 million will be used for the purchase of rams and cooking condiments for the 42 feeding centres while N15 million will be used for the payment of allowances to Muslim preachers who will seek to guide the Muslim faithful through the Holy Month.

    “His Excellency the governor had also approved 1, 260 bags of rice and 630 jerry cans of cooking oil to be used in the 42 designated feeding centres during Ramadan”.

    Over the years, the state government has consistently approved similar monies but the less privilege  have always complained of feeling the impact of the funds during the fasting period.

  • Yobe approves N671m for payment of gratuity

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Monday approved N671 million for payment of gratuity to 364 retired workers and others who died in service.

    The information is in a statement by Malam Abdullahi Bego, the Director-General of Press Affairs to the governor in Damaturu.

    Bego stated that the amount would cover gratuity of those who retired or died between August and December 2017.

    He noted that the state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam in January this year approved over N1 billion for payment of gratuity to 631 workers who retired from service between January and July 2017.

    He added that workers who retired from service of the state government from January 2018 till date would wait for verification and processing of their documents before payment.

    “It is the commitment of Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam that Yobe Government will remain unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of workers in its employ” the statement noted.

    NAN

  • Ramadan: Yobe orders 12 hours restriction on vehicular movement

    Ramadan: Yobe orders 12 hours restriction on vehicular movement

    The Yobe Government has issued a 12-hour restriction on the movement of vehicles in the state from 10.p.m. on Saturday  to  10  a.m. on Sunday  to ensure security during the ‘Eid prayers.

    The government made the order known in a statement issued by Abdullahi Bego, Director of Press to Yobe Governor in Damaturu on Saturday.

    “Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the placement of restriction of vehicular movement throughout the state as part of measures to ensure secure and hitch-free Eid-el-Fitr prayers marking the end of the Ramadan fast.

    “Accordingly, all vehicular movement in the state is restricted with effect from 10.00p.m. tonight (Saturday 24th June 2017) to 10.00a.m. on Sunday (25th June 2017).

    “The restriction is, however, conditional on the sighting of the new moon tonight and confirmation that the Eid-el-Fitr will be tomorrow, Sunday.

    “If the moon has not been sighted and the Eid will be on Monday, the restriction will apply from 10.00p.m. on Sunday (25th June 2017) to 10.00a.m. on Monday (26th June 2017),” ,’’ Bego said.

    He said the restriction order was placed in the interest of public safety after consultations with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.

    He warned against people driving vehicles to prayer grounds and stressed that “no vehicle will be allowed in any Eid prayer ground throughout the state.”

    Meanwhile, Gaidam, in an Eid el-Fitr message to the people  urged Muslim faithful to use the season to pray for the country and improved health for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We should also, as good citizens, more than ever before, be prepared to work together, and act together in our resolve for the attainment of a happier and more prosperous future for our state and indeed our great country, Nigeria.”

    He commended the Buhari administration for its commitment in the fight against insurgency and concerted steps it had taken toward repositioning Nigeria on the path to glory and prosperous economy.

    In the recent past Boko Haram insurgents had used occasions of religious celebrations to attack worshippers in churches and mosques.

    Yobe is one of the frontline  states that have suffered attacks from the insurgents.

  • Yobe retirees to get N1.196 billion from Paris club refunds

    Yobe retirees to get N1.196 billion from Paris club refunds

    A total of 651 retirees from Yobe State are to benefit from the share of the Paris Club refunds to the state following the approval of over N1.196 billion by Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for the payment of their understanding gratuity benefit.

    According to a statement from the Director of Information to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, Abdullahi Bego, the payment will cover retirees from Febuary 2015 to October 2015.

    The statement added that another batch of beneficiaries will soon be release as the Bukar Chidami led verification committee is working hard to authentic the list of those affected.

    The state reads: “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved N1, 196, 440, 441.00 (one billion, one hundred and ninety-six million, four hundred and fourty thousand, four hundred and fourty one naira) as gratuity payment to another batch of 651 retirees who retired from service or died in service between February 2015 and October 2015.

    “Payments will be made to the affected beneficiaries from the Paris Club refund received from the federal government.

    “The public may recall that five weeks ago, the governor had approved N883, 690, 311.00 to a batch of 443 retired civil servants who retired from service between June 2014 and February 2015.

    “The committee set up by His Excellency the governor to verify retiree claims under Alhaji Bukar Chidami is working to verify all subsequent retirees, whose retirement dates fall between November 2015 to date.

    “The public can expect further announcements as the committee continues with its works”.

     

  • Yobe rejects extension of emergency rule

    Yobe rejects extension of emergency rule

    Yobe State yesterday rejected the extension of the state of emergency in the state by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    It faulted the President for “repeating a stale and sterile measure” which has failed over the last 12 months

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, said: “The Yobe State Government takes very strong exception to this move by the President.

    “We believe that extending emergency rule is not the answer to the prevailing security challenges in the three affected states in view of the apparent failure of the same measure over the last 12 months.

    “As some may recall, Governor Gaidam supported the first emergency declaration made by the President back in May 2013. He did so because he believed a more heightened effort was needed to deal with the escalating security challenges at the time.

    “Six months on, emergency rule was a mixed-bag that was marked more by failure than by success. So, when the President went back to the National Assembly in November 2013 to ask for an extension, Governor Gaidam was among many leaders across the country expressed reservations and asked for a change of strategy. “For instance, over the six months of emergency rule and later over the second, we have seen some of the worst attacks by Boko Haram in Yobe State. From GSS Damaturu to GSS Mamudo to College of Agriculture Gujba and FGC Buni Yadi, more than 120 students were killed by insurgents. There were many other attacks in Gujba and Damaturu local governments.

    “Although the security forces on the ground have done and continue to do their best under the circumstances, insurgents and criminals have always carried out attacks when they wanted to and have almost always got away with their barbarous and despicable acts.”

    The state government raised a poser for President Goodluck Jonathan and revisited its recommendations on how to tackle insurgency without emergency rule.

    Yobe State said: “As the President now asks for another extension, it is time to ask whether any lessons have been learnt over the previous 12 months and whether the very patriotic suggestions made by the Yobe state government, other affected state governments and Nigerians generally, have been taken into account in the ongoing effort to deal with Boko Haram insurgency.

    “First, Governor Gaidam has suggested, as did his Borno and Adamawa states counterparts, that the military and security forces on the ground need to be fully and properly kitted with superior weaponry and advanced communications equipment.

    “The governor has particularly stressed the need for more technology-driven intelligence gathering and surveillance procedures to be able to detect and prevent attacks.

    “Second, the Governor has stressed the need to carry the people of the affected states on board in the fight against insurgency. This suggestion was borne out of the fact that the very doctrine of counter-insurgency, as propounded by US military generals in Afghanistan and Iraq, was conceived as a means of winning the support of local, affected populations as much as scoring a military victory against insurgents.

    “We have seen over this period, however, that the federal government has neither provided the advanced weaponry and communications gear needed to defeat Boko Haram nor worked to build and sustain the confidence of the people in the affected states.”

     

     

    “From Izge to Konduga and from Buni-Yadi to Chibok, thousands of people have been affected in the most gruesome manner but the President has not even found it worthy to pay a sympathy visit.”

    It also claimed that insecurity is now a national problem and not limited to the three states.

    It said: “We also note that the problem of insecurity is now more of a national problem than an issue restricted to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states alone. There are security challenges in Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba and Kaduna states and even the Federal Capital Territory.

    “Yet, in all these places, the military and other security forces have continued to do their work of trying to restore order without an ‘Emergency Rule’ being declared by the President.

    “It is therefore our considered opinion that a new approach is needed by the federal government to defeat Boko Haram, restore peace and stability, and rebuild the livelihoods that have been lost.

    “This approach should look at the prevailing challenges in the three affected states as a security challenge rather than a political one and should build on the suggestions already made by the governments and people of these states.

    “It is our considered opinion that the military and other security forces can remain on the ground in the affected states and do their work until Boko Haram is defeated or made to surrender. In fact, we request that more boots should be deployed to accelerate the pace of effort against Boko Haram. We believe, however, that this can be done without the imposition of a state of emergency.