The Nation Newspaper

Tag: GOMBE

  • Cooreman urges Gombe Utd players to end unimpressive away form

    Cooreman urges Gombe Utd players to end unimpressive away form

    Gombe United helmsman, Maurice Cooreman has assured that he would love to celebrate his new contract with the Savannah Scorpions with an elusive away point at Wikki Tourists today in a Glo Premier League Matchday 37 cracker.

    Cooreman and his players have relied on their near invincibility at home to occupy the seventh position on the log with 52 points from 36 matches but the Belgian has stated that he would like his players to end their indifferent form away from home when they tackle Wikki at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

    The Savannah Scorpions’ management recently re-signed the Belgian for another season and Cooreman in an interview with SportingLife hinted he has charged his players to go all out to end their patchy form at away games in their final road game of the season.

    “We are going to Bauchi with a resolve to end our poor form at away games. We can do it and I have charged them to celebrate by new contract with at least a draw against Wikki on Wednesday (today),” Cooreman said.

     

  • Pillars coach confident despite Gombe setback

    Pillars coach confident despite Gombe setback

    Kano Pillars coach Mohammed Babaganaru has insisted his team remain upbeat of winning the League despite a 2-1 reverse to Gombe United on Saturday.

    Pillars remain on top of the league with 60 points, a point ahead of second-placed Enyimba, who beat ABS 1-0 at home to pile on the pressure on their title rivals.

    “We still believe we are going to retain the league title, this loss is just a temporary setback,” maintained Babaganaru, who led Pillars to a second championship last season.

    “We are still on course to winning the title, it is not over until it is over, we have two games to go. So, we are working hard. I call all our fans to keep faith with us and be praying for us.”

    Pillars host Dolphins on Wednesday in Lokoja, while they are away to Lobi Stars in their final game of the season on Sunday, October 20.

     

  • Resort Savings and Loans Plc provides mortgages for FRSC Estate, Gombe

    Gombe Governor State Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankn wambo has the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Housing Estate, also known as Amma Pepple Housing Estate in Gombe.

    The estate, built in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria towards provision of decent housing for members of the corps and residents of the state is a step in the right direction to providing affordable homes for people of the state.

    According to the governor who promised to meet the housing demands by developing a housing policy in conjunction with the private sector to build affordable houses for civil servants in the state, “available statistics and records indicate that there is an existing deficit of 17 million housing units across the country.” Governor Dankwambo stated further that “to meet up the demand for houses, a total of one million housing units are required for the next ten years.”

    Present at the commissioning of the housing units, the Managing Director of foremost mortgage bank in Nigeria and major player in the project; Resort Savings and Loans Plc., Mr. Abimbola Olayinka said the bank was pleased to be at the commissioning of the first phase of the housing estate which comprises of 88 housing units of two bedroom and three bedroom bungalows. He said the bank had provided mortgage loans for over 1,500 people in Nigeria and those in Diaspora; it is also currently processing over 5,000 applications that are in various stages of approval at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria which is in the excess of N6billion.

    According to Olayinka, Resort Savings and Loans is processing mortgage loans to 88 officers and men of the FRSC through the NHF to afford them the opportunity of owning their own houses in Gombe State. He stated further that the bank is ready to provide mortgages for residents of Gombe State. The bank is concluding its plans towards securing approvals from the regulatory authority in setting up a new branch in the state to provide services toward the completion of the remaining housing units and also to serve the people of the state and its environs better.

  • New PDP emerges in Gombe

    The gulf in the Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has widened as members of the new PDP are calling on lovers of the party to switch camp.

    A chieftain of the new PDP, Mohammed Umar Shabuki, spoke yesterday in Gombe at a media briefing.

    He said: “In view of the problem facing the leadership of the PDP, we express our solidarity with Senator Danjuma Goje.

    “This same movement birthed the PDP in Gombe through Sen. Goje. He knows why he is going with the new PDP and we are going with him, because he is our political father.

    “Personally, I have never had any form of problem with (Governor Ibrahim) Dankwambo; likewise with all of us here. We are doing this because it is a cause we believe in.

    “If the state government or party organ is not happy with our movement, so be it!

    “What did they do at the national level? Politics is about challenge and I have always been in the opposition all along.”

    Shabuki, who was accompanied by Baba Gidado and Gurama Tembeyolo, said he and other members of the new PDP had not received any threat.

    He, however, said they would damn whatever consequence that might follow their decision.

    They said the New PDP boasts membership across the state and would soon begin serious business.

    “Goje is our father, and Abubakar Atiku is our grand-father, even in the old PDP. So, I call on everyone seeking the right path to follow the father and grandfather for proper guidance,” the New PDP trio said.

     

  • Gombe target continental action

    Chairman of Gombe United FC, Auwalu Musa Umar is optimistic his team will land a continental ticket at the end of the season despite currently trailing league leaders by nine points and precariously placing fifth on the league table.

    His confidence is anchored on the new found form and high spirits among players following the payment of over N200 million as hundred percent settlement of the backlog of sign – on fees for 2011/2012 and half of the N200 million liability inherited from the previous administration.

    He said the present 5th spot is Gombe United’s best position since the 2005/2006 season in which it won the ticket to represent Nigeria in 2006/2007 African Champions League fiesta.

    “We are alright for now and hope the support will continue next. With this kind of support, the sky is our limit,” said Gombe United Chairman while speaking of demands of the club.

    He also hinted at heavy shopping at the next transfer window to fortify all departments of the field but hinged the activity on the movement of players.

    “We have spoken with some good but not too expensive players for all departments of the field and a lot of them have indicated interest to come Gombe,” he said.

    He called on the government and good people of the State to be patient with the club and players who are now ready to do their best in the effort to put smile on their faces.

  • 19 injured as police, marshals clash in Gombe

    Gombe, Sept. 3, 2013 (NAN) Nineteen Traffic Marshals, working for the Gombe State government on Tuesday sustained various degrees of injuries in clashes with a group of policemen in Gombe.

    Mr Babaji Dunama, General Manager of the Gombe State Agency for Social Services and Other Related Matters, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Gombe, the state capital.

    He said that the clashes followed a disagreement between the police and the marshals at the Cross Roundabout in Gombe town.

    The marshals are youths, employed by the State Government to perform sundry duties such as assisting in controlling traffic and enforcing environmental sanitation laws.

    Dunama alleged that the marshals were attacked by the police while performing their duties.

    The general manager said that when he tried to ask the police to stop harassing the marshals, the policemen threatened him.

    He said that shortly after he left the place, the problem degenerated with the policemen beating marshals on duty.

    Dunama said that after the incident at the roundabout, eight vehicles filled with police men went to his office at the Ministry of Youth and Poverty Alleviation and ransacked it while every marshal they saw there was beaten.

    He alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Gombe Command, Mr Baba Yola, led the policemen to commit the act.

    The general manager said that the DPO had been having problems with marshals, adding that his incessant harassment of the marshals was a threat to peace in the state.

    He said that the 19 wounded marshals were arrested and taken to the police station.

    Dunama, however, said that after he reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kudu Nma, the marshals were released on bail.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Police Command, Mr Fwaje Atajiri, said that two policemen from the Gombe Police Division were sent to invite some persons suspected of committing assault.

    According to the PPRO, when the policemen tried to invite one of the suspects, he refused and an argument ensued between the suspect and the policemen.

    He said it was later discovered that the suspect was a marshal but that he was not in uniform.

    Atajiri said that the clash could not have occurred if the police had known that the suspect was a marshal.

    The spokesman said that the marshal should have followed the policemen to the station to explain and identify himself since he was not in uniform.

    The PPRO denied allegations that policemen in eight vehicles went and beat many marshals in the Ministry of Youth and Poverty Alleviation.

    Atajiri said the police was a disciplined organisation and that investigation would be conducted and anyone found to have gone beyond the call of his duties would not be spared. (NAN)

  • Gombe Utd still in progress — Sani

    Gombe Utd still in progress — Sani

    • Wants to win laurels

    Gombe United winger Mohammed Suleiman Sani has expressed his delight of plying his trade with the “Desert Scorpions” as a dream come true. The petite winger speaking with Sporting life said:

    “Playing in the Nigerian premier league is a thing of joy to me, considering the fact that I had always dreamt of playing here, I’m also happy that I’m currently playing for my state team.”

    The winger who has been a revelation for the northern team since joining from Yermalite football Academy in Gombe State said that Gombe United has brought him to limelight, stressing that he is putting everything on the field of play to ensure that his team will finish in a good position in his first season of topflight football.

    “We’ve been doing well in the league so far, with the presence of our coach (Maurice Cooreman) who is well experience with Nigerian football with other officials in the team, I’ve been putting in my best, and with the help of my team mates, the results have been good so far.”

    Sani who has Manchester United winger Luis Nani as his role model has scored 2 goals in the league, against Kwara United and Wikki Tourist.

    He also has 15 assists for his side this season an said he dreams of playing for the U-17 or U-20 national team.

  • Trade and industry meeting in Gombe

    Trade and industry meeting in Gombe

  • Seven Boko Haram suspects killed in Gombe

    Seven Boko Haram suspects killed in Gombe

    The Police in Gombe State on Friday shot dead seven suspected members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, during a clash.

    The clash lasted two hours, according to the Gombe Police spokesman Fwaje Atajiri.

    However, the claim could not be independently confirmed.

    The clash came 24 hours after members of the sect swooped on Damboa, Borno State, killing 11 people.

    The terrorists, according to a report, attacked soldiers, burned shops and killed residents.

    A military source said: “More troops have been dispatched to the area to confront the insurgents. They sneaked away towards the bush leading to parts of Yobe and Gombe states.”

    Around 50 gunmen in cars and motorbikes stormed the rural town, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to hide in nearby farms, locals said.

    The insurgency was initially weakened in the weeks immediately following the declaration of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in May, but remains active and there has been an uptick in violence in the past month.

  • Gombe Utd to add to Heartland’s woes

    Gombe Utd to add to Heartland’s woes

    GOMBE United say they are looking to add to the woes of Heartland FC in the Glo Premier League when both sides clash in a Week 25 match today.

    The Naze Millionaires were shocked 1-0 by visiting Kwara Utd in a Week 24 game in Owerri, last week and will be hoping for better a result against the Savannah Scorpions.

    However, the Gombe side’s Assistant General Manager media, Tanimu Umar believes his side can add another defeat to Heartland’s records

    He said: “The players returned home Monday night and had a light training session Tuesday as they prepare for Wednesday’s (today’s) Week 25 game against a team wounded by home defeat over the weekend.

    “We don’t want to drop points at home anymore, but it’s sure going to be tough one, as Heartland would want to at least make up for the loss to Kwara Utd.

    “Mind you, we’ll be playing them with all we have, and certainly not with kid’s gloves.”

    When SportingLife asked him if the club had made an official statement to the LMC over their claim that some of their officials were beaten by Sharks fans during last week’s encounter, Umar replied: “It’s a pity such incidents still happen in our domestic game.

    “If they said we lied, then the LMC’s findings will determine if their fans did or did not attack our officials.

    “The club have officially written to the League Board regarding what happened in Port-Harcourt since Sunday evening.”