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Tag: GOMBE

  • Gombe: Governorship aspirant pledges to tackle youth unemployment

    Mr Muhammad Dan-Barde, the Gombe State gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has promised to create job opportunities for youths if voted into power in 2019.

    Dan-Barde made this pledge at a news conference on Wednesday in Gombe.

    He said that the rate of youth unemployment was alarming in the state.

    According to him, the present administration has failed in the area of employment, health care service delivery, water supply and education sectors among others.

    He promised to do his best to ensure the development of the state by providing drinkable water in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    The gubernatorial aspirant also promised to revive the moribund industries in the state in order for the youth to be engaged, to reduce the rate of unemployment.

    Read Also: Gombe governorship aspirant promises to revive agriculture

    Dan-Barde said that the Dadin-Kowa and Balanga Dams would be fully utilized for irrigation and other economic activities.

    According to him, this will also impact on the Internally Generated Revenue of the state apart from other sources of income to reduce over dependence on the federation allocation.

    He added that women would be given equal opportunities with men to enable them contributing to the development of the state.

    Dan-Barde further called for the unity of the party to ensure that the APC take over the governorship position from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    “We will make sure we form a government by the people and for the people to transform Gombe State to greater heights,” he said.

  • PDP governors disagree on consensus presidential candidate

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have collectively rejected the consensus option for picking the party’s presidential candidate.

    They have insisted that all the 12 presidential aspirants must go through primary election for a winner to emerge.

    The governors however agreed on the choice of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital as venue of its convention where the party’s presidential candidate will emerged. The convention is billed to hold from October 5-6.

    The resolutions were adopted after a marathon meeting of the governors, under the platform of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

    The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) had earlier canvassed the consensus option and had even resolved to meet the 12 presidential aspirants any time this week to persuade them to agree on consensus.

    But the governors were said to have reasoned that the consensus option could trigger crisis that might throw the party into turbulence and that they wanted the most popular among the aspirants to emerge through the ballot.

    Those in the race for the presidential ticket of the PDP are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; and a former Special Duties Minister, Tanimu Turaki.

    Others are a former President of the Senate, David Mark; a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; and a former senator, Dr. Baba Datti Ahmed.

  • Power should shift in Gombe, says aspirant

    Aliyu Haidar Abubakar is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State. To him, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not rule the state beyond 2019. But, what is his chance at the primary? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the succession battle in the Northeast state.

    Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, an accountant, politician and Talban Nafada, has a vision for Gombe State. He believes the state has a brighter future, if the All Progressives Congress (APC) produces Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s successor in next year’s election.

    Having thrown his hat in the ring, he has been selling his manifestos to the people. The message on his lip is that a new dawn is around the corner.

    Many youths are rooting for the youth activist and youngest contender. This is partly due to the awareness created by the signing of the ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Rule’ Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Abubakar is not the only person in the race. A prominent grassroots actor, HabuMuazu is also eyeing the ticket. There as some Abuja-based politicians who are also likely to join the race. Therefore, he will have to face a predictable hurdle at the primary. The shadow poll will be about the survival of the fittest.

    For the 45 years-old graduate of Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the contest is not a do or die affair. Yet, he is proud of his followership and successful consultations with stakeholders. He is popular. Between 2005 and 2016, he was an accountant with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) judiciary. But, he has maintained his close links with the grassroots. As a successful businessman, he has ploughed back to his society, thereby eliciting encomiums as a philanthropist.

    For many years, Abubakar had spent his life productively. He has been an advocate of women and youth participation in politics and economic empowerment. He has encouraged many youths to go to school and enlist in vocations of meaningful value. As he did these, he also offered financial assistance in aide of their endeavours.

    However, August 19 was a turning point. The technocrat-turned politician convened a bold assembly. At the Gombe Township Stadium, he mobilised the youths for political action. His method was effective. His message was that the time was ripe for them to take their political destiny in their hands. Abubakar sensitized them to the import of 2019 and the danger of selling their votes. In a voice laced with emotion, he called for the reevaluation of politics in Gombe. Noting that the youths are members of his primary and potent constituency, he advised them to shun thuggery and other vices. He said desperate politician who hire youths as thugs are destroyers of lives.

    The awareness campaign, which was tagged: “For us by us (FUBU),” was aimed at promoting debates on youth participation and sustenance of democracy. A committed Muslim raised by educated parents, Abubakar said politics should be accompanied by virtues. Also, he emphasised that apathy was dangerous, stressing that the voices of youths can only count when they participate in decision making.

    “I know the problems of our youths and women. Youths need education and work. I have the God-giving ability and resources to work with youths and women, to organise them, understand their wants and needs, and makes them his priority. But, many of the challenges can be better solved if I have political power,” he said.

    To the stakeholders, Abubakar is an example of courage. His entry into the contest has motivated other youths to follow suit. Indeed, he has been encouraging young people to seek for elective positions to reposition the state. This, he said, is in exercise of their constitutionally guaranteed rights and privileges under the constitution.

    Besides, the aspirant said apart from serving as an example to the youths, he has offered himself for leadership as part of his service to God, the state and humanity. “Gombe State should be our ultimate focus. Irrespective of whatever political party that is in power, what must be paramount is the development of the state for all. When there is hope for all to benefit from the development of our state, then, Gombe will be self-reliant and a better place to live,” he added.

    The next governor of Gombe will face many challenges.  The sate, which prides itself as the Jewel in the Savannah, is a very small and sparsely populated state. It is not a rich state. But, it is blessed with a very fertile land, mineral resources, and opportunities for investment and economic growth. To observers, Gombe can only benefit from these bounties of nature when there is good governance and outstanding leadership.

    Abubakar has called for political attitudinal change. He said the old approach to governance must change.  “I would like to implore all the people of Gombe State, irrespective of any political affiliations, regional or tribal heritage, to change our attitudes, embrace hope and work together for the common good of the state,” he stressed.

    Urging the youths to gird their loins, he said: “As youths of today, we should play a part in shaping the policies which will make the future better for everyone.”

    However, the aspirant said youths should not perceive public office an avenue for private accumulation. He said they should participate in the political process by voting according to their conscience. He said if the youths fail to embrace these imperatives, democracy may be endangered. “It is time for the youths to wake up, resist the temptation to be used as tools for destruction by politicians that would dump them thereafter and see themselves as tools of unity and development, “ AbubakaR added.

    Youths should also shun vote buying and selling in the interest of democracy. Abubakar said: “Vote selling is like selling ones conscience and rights. That is why I decided to mobilise the youths to sensitise them on the need to be careful against being used as agents of vote buying by desperate politicians. It is on record that all dirty political activities like political violence is hatched by politicians using the teeming jobless youths.”

    He added: “Monetisation of politics must end with the present generation. We must be seen to be playing by the rules, we must practice politics with decorum”.

    Many participants at the forum applauded the aspirant, saying that  he is an icon of hope for the development of Gombe State. They pointed out that he will be a great asset, if he becomes governor,  adding that he has outstanding leadership qualities and believes in an all-inclusive governance.

    A student, Inuwa Saleh, who described the experience as inspirational, said Abubakar is a dynamic leader. “We have a lot to look forward to and we are quite optimistic that Haidar belongs to the same generation with us. So, we can relate with him better. And this is the beginning of a new era for the youths in Gombe State. “He is an embodiment of many things; he represents hope, positivity, progress and above all, he has clearly demonstrated that he is truly God sent to add more meaning to the life of his people.”

    But, what is Abubakar’s chances at the primary and next year’s poll? The Gombe APC is factionalised. The contenders are heating up the party with their struggles for the ticket.  A political analyst, Joel Ishaya, said: “In a political party with so many power blocs, it takes an exceptionally neutral person with a high sense of maturity and exposure to merge the factions.”

    He said Abubakar has no alliance with any group and bears no allegiance to any faction, pointing out that  his allegiance is to the people.

    “It is glaring that we have a candidate whose commitment and allegiance is to the people and he has maintained that touch with the grassroots and the everyday people on the streets . APC requires a seasoned person with exceptional human qualities to be able to wrestle power from the ruling PDP in the state and the best person is Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, Talban Nafada” he added.

     

  • Not too young movement decry high cost of nomination forms

    Political stakeholders led by the “Not Too Young To Run Movement” in Gombe state on Monday decried the high cost of forms for expression of interest and nomination for the 2019 general elections being sold by political parties in the country.

    Hamzat Lawal, a national leader of the movement told newsmen in a press conference in Gombe the state capital that the high costs of the forms would make youths and qualified politicians to shelve their ambitions.

    He said, “the whole idea of paying exorbitant rate for nomination form smacks of a grand conspiracy to keep the system only for the moneybags and shut out those with less financial muscle.

    “The movement notes with concern the announcement on the cost of nomination forms by various parties which presents a major impediment to youth participation in politics.”

    Hamzat also decried the manner at which some state governors hijacked the process of the sales of nomination forms to thwart the aspirations of young aspirants and perceived political enemies.

    The group recommends that the cost for nomination forms by various parties should not exceed, N2 million for presidential aspirant, N1 million for governorship, N600 thousand for senatorial, N400 thousand for house of representatives and N200 thousand for state assembly.

    Read Also: 47 APC aspirants kick against indirect primaries in Katsina

    They further appreciated the leadership of the various political parties that have reserved party tickets for young men and women with character, capacity and competence as well as parties that have adopted open, transparent and direct party primaries in the candidate selection process.

    The group also urged political parties and their candidates to engaged in issues-based campaign and shun comments that could incite their followers during campaigns.

    They called on the people to use the period of the campaign to assess the candidates and also shun any form of financial inducement from the candidates or their agents.

    He assured that”, the movement will host a public dialogue series with political parties to address some concerns relating to candidate selection process in all the political parties”

  • Domestic violence: Police urge women to speak up

    The Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Mr Shina Olukolu, on Friday advised women in the state to always report cases of domestic violence.

    Olukolu who gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe said domestic violence was poorly reported in Gombe, and that there was need for women to speak up.

    He said the statistics on domestic violence in the state had been very low in the past three years, noting that most women were afraid of reporting it to save their marriages amongst other reasons.

    According to him, the police are now better trained and abreast of the current ways of handling domestic violence to ensure that lives are protected and needed counselling given by personnel of the command.

    “Domestic violence is as old as the human race, so gaining global attention is expected. However, in Gombe the case has not been given prominence in view of the available statistics.

    “The statistics have almost remained same for the past three years. In 2015, 21 cases were handled by the police, in 2016, 20 and in 2017, 20 cases. So the statistics is insignificant.

    “The statistics we have is due to poor reportage of such cases. Most women are afraid to report and then lose their marriages amongst other reasons. So they tend to bottle up issues like these.

    “There is need for the women to speak up, seek help and advice by reporting to the security agencies so as to prevent subsequent victimisation which may lead to death,” he said.

    The police commissioner emphasised that the command was committed to resolving issues and not breaking homes as feared by most victims.

    Read Also: Police arrest 23 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    “I want to inform the public that our gender-based unit has been given series of training within and outside the state to handle issues of domestic violence so as to protect lives.

    “Our personnel are now well exposed to the mechanism and understanding of the nature of reactions by women to issues that result to marital conflicts and how to resolve these issues.

    “All cases we have received so far were minor and the police have handled them through counselling and legal means. Most of those victimised women are living peacefully in their homes with the protection they deserved.

    “Such issues must be reported so as to call the offenders to order at an early stage in view of the danger of such violence leading to the death of any of the partners,” he said.
    Olukolu appealed to all stakeholders to sensitise the public on the need to control their emotions at home, and that the implications of domestic

    violence on the children was devastating.

  • 2019: NDLEA urges leaders to preach against drug abuse

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Gombe State Command, has appealed to the traditional and religious leaders to preach against substance abuse as the 2019 elections draw near.

    Mr Aliyu Adole, the state NDLEA Commander, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Tuesday.

    Adole tasked the leaders to sensitize their subjects and congregation to shun violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
    He said that there was need to advise youths in the state to shun drug abuse, saying that it was dangerous to their health.

    “We need the traditional and religious leaders seriously, especially as we are in the political period; we want peaceful polls in the state and the country at large,” Adole said.
    According to him, some youths get out of control when they take drugs; religious leaders need to convince them that what they are taking is bad.

    Adole also solicited the support of the elders and parents in the communities to speak out on the dangers of substance abuse.
    “So, everybody in the community should come out to assist the NDLEA to educate youths in Gombe State to get out of drug abuse,” the state NDLEA commander said.

    He advised politicians in the state to control their supporters, especially youths to engage in peaceful campaigns and elections in the state and the country at large.

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted influx of moisture and increased heat energy expected to produce thunderstorms and rains over most places in the country for Monday.

    NiMet made this known in its Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday.

    It envisaged Thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau and Kano in the morning hours and thunderstorms over most places in the afternoon and evening period.

    It added that, day and night temperature in the northern states would be in the ranges of 28 – 30 degree Celsius and 20 – 22 degree Celsius respectively.

    NiMet said that, moderate rains would be expected over Bauchi, Gombe, Mambilla Plateau, Jalingo, Jos and Abuja in the morning hours.

    According to it, thunderstorms and rains are expected over the entire north central area in the afternoon and evening hours.

    It said that, day and night temperature in the region would be in the range of 27- 29 degree Celsius and 21- 23 degree Celsius respectively, except for Jos that would be between 22 – 15 degree Celsius.

    The agency predicted light rains over Uyo, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Eket in the morning with moderate rains over most places in the southern states in the afternoon and evening hours,

    NiMet said that, day and night temperature would be in range of 27and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.

  • Police arrest four suspected drug barons in Gombe

    The Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Mr Shina Olukolu, on Thursday said the police have arrested four suspected drug barons in Gombe.

    Olukolu, who said this in a statement issued in Gombe, said the suspects were arrested with large quantities of assorted hard drugs.

    He said the drugs were sold mainly to criminals and other social miscreants popularly known as ‘Yankalare’, adding that these boys were being used by politicians as political thugs.

    “I am pleased to report that four suspected drug barons have been arrested based on a processed credible information and accurate intelligence by our surveillance personnel.

    “ These suspects sell these drugs mainly to criminal elements and other element social miscreants popularly called ‘Yankalare’ or ‘Kalare boys’ who are usually used as thugs during political activities.

    Read Also: Troops kill five bandits, recover arms in Birnin Gwari

    “Exhibits recovered from them include 12,100 tablets of 5mg Vallium D5, 900 tablets of 225mg of Tramadol, 538 tablets of 5mg Dizapam, and 83 tablets of 5m Exzol.

    “Others are 22 bottles of 100ml Codeine syrup and 10 litres of Suck and Die liquid’’, he said.

    The commissioner said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    He assured that the police would continue to check the illegal activities of drug smugglers and peddlers in the state.

  • Police arrest suspected members of fake dollar syndicate in Gombe

    The Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Mr Shina Olukolu, on Tuesday said the police have arrested five suspected members of a fake dollar syndicate in Gombe, the state capital.

    Olukolu said in a statement made available to newsmen in Gombe that the suspects were arrested with 60 pieces of fake 100 US dollar notes.
    He said the arrested suspects had taken advantage of the upcoming Muslims annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to defraud innocent pilgrims of their money through sales of fake dollars.

    “It is common knowledge that the Muslim faithful annual pilgrimage to Mecca is around the corner and in the same vein some criminal elements have perfected plans to take undue advantage of this to defraud pilgrims.

    “Five (members of a) fake dollar syndicate were arrested from different locations based on credible information from members of the public.

    ‘‘These arrests were made by the combinations of the Police X-Squad and Police State Intelligence Bureau.

    “Two of the suspects who were arrested with two pieces of one hundred US dollar notes had invited one Tamin Idris from Lagos to Gombe State to be defrauded before the SIB nabbed them,’’ he said.

    The commissioner advised intending pilgrims to desist from buying dollars from unauthorised persons and places offering ridiculous rates as opposed to official channels.

    He assured that the police would continue to truncate the plans of criminals, arrest and prosecute them in accordance with the law.

  • NiMet predicts rains, thunderstorms for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy skies over the central states of the country on Monday morning with prospects of rains over Abuja, Bauchi, Gombe, Jos, Jalingo, Niger, Yola and Kaduna cities.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 33 and 17 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that localised thunderstorms were probable over the region in the afternoon and evening period.

    The agency predicted southern states would experience cloudy conditions over inland cities with intermittent rains over the coastal cities in the morning hours.

    It also predicted prospects of thunderstorm and rains over the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 32 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience thunderstorms with cloudy morning over Maiduguri, Nguru and Potiskum, with day and night temperatures of 30 to 36 and 20 to 25 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over Maiduguri, Nguru, and Potiskum axis, while the entire region is likely to be cloudy.

    “There are indications of increased cloudiness with prospects of intermittent rains and thunderstorms over the country within the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.