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Tag: Ibrahim Gaidam

  • I am leaving Yobe better than l met it — Gaidam

    Out-going Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam said on Tuesday that he was leaving the state better than he met it 10 years ago.

    Speaking at a Valedictory Session in Damaturu to mark the end of his administration, the governor congratulated every member of his cabinet for the support they gave him and the privilege to serve the state.

    “The big successes, which our tenure recorded were as a result of hard work, commitment, sacrifice, and patience.

    “A little over 10 years ago when this administration came on board, the state was characterised by poor infrastructural facilities including inadequate township and intra-state roads.

    Read Also: How I will defeat Gaidam, by PDP candidate

    “We also inherited dilapidated educational and health structures, inadequate water supply, low agricultural productivity as well as institutional decay.

    “In order to turn around the situation, we embarked on far-reaching policies, programmes and reforms guided by the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and value for money.

    “The State of Emergency we declared on health has transformed the sector and attracted commendations and awards. 

    “We are leaving a clean slate with all our policies, projects, and programmes, most of which have been executed without recourse to domestic or external loan,’’ Gaidam said.

    NAN

  • Youth losing touch with culture, a looming disaster – Gaidam

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Sunday lamented the speed at which youth in the country were losing touch with their culture and tradition.

    Speaking on Sunday in Machina, Yobe, during the annual Machina Cultural Festivals, the governor said the development was a looming disaster that should call for concern.

    He stressed the need for urgent steps to be taken to redress the urgently trend, adding that preservation of culture and traditions were key elements for the development of any society.

    He recommended the checking of influx of foreign culture and tradition, which he observed was the main cause of the present situation.

    In his remarks ,the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Machinama, commended Gaidam for addressing the problems of his emirate, just as he conferred on the governor, the traditional title of ‘Shettima Fatihuma’.

    He said the  prestigious title could be conferred only on personalities who distinguished themselves  in executing important capital projects that impacted on the lives of people.

    “In humble reference to the government of Yobe, it is the sincere judgement of the people of Machina emirate and Machina local government that the tenure of Gaidam’s administration, has been the most significant.

    “The most serious problems of Machina had been that of scarcity of water for human and animal consumption, as well as lack of tarred roads.

    “Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, being dynamic, visionary, focused, committed and dedicated leader, has been able to solve the problems.

    “For that reason, we the entire people of Machina are testifying that he has fulfilled most, if not all, the promises he made to the people of the emirate,” said the Emir. (NAN)

  • Gaidam, Lawan, Bomoi elected APC senators in Yobe

    Yobe State Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam despite inability to vote for himself got elected as senator representing Yobe East at the senate under the platform of APC.

    Also elected is the Senate Leader, Dr Ahmed Lawan from Yobe North, while the Former Director of Treasury at Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Alh. Ibrahim Mohamed Bomoi got the Yobe South senatorial seat, defeating the incumbent PDP senator, Mohammed Hassan aka DEMBU.

    All the three senatorial results have been officially declared by their returning officers and the winners elected and returned.

    Announcing the results, the returning officer for Yobe East senatorial election, Dr. Aliyu Shehu of Federal University Gashua declared Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam as the winner having scored 139, 277 from his closest challenger Tata Abbagana of PDP who scored 18,059.

    In the Yobe South Senatorial Elections, the Returning Officer, Prof. Iwarere Taiwo Henry of Federal University Gashua declared Alhaji Ibrahim Bomoi as winner with 118, 729 while his PDP counterpart, Mohammed Hassan trailed behind with 89,049 votes.

    The senatorial election in the Yobe North also went in favour of APC’S Ahmed Lawan, the senate majority leader. The result was announced by the returning officer; Prof. M.O Aduloju from Federal University of Gashua announced that Sen. Lawan scored 144,099 as against his PDP opponent, Hon. Sherriff Abullahi with 53,443 votes.

    This is the third time Sen. Lawan will be re-elected back to the senate after serving two terms at the House of Representatives.

    The APC has also won all the six seats of the House of Representatives in the state.

  • Boko Haram attack stops Yobe gov from voting

    Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam could not travel to Bukarti, his country home, in Yunusari Local Government Area of the state to vote due to an early morning attack on Geidam by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Abdullahi Bego, Director General, Media Affairs to the governor, confirmed the development in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Damaturu.

    Bego stated that the governor could not partake in the exercise.

    “The security agencies would naturally seek to reinforce and increase security around the governor for him to travel to cast his vote.

    “The increased security around the governor will mean that vital security resources that are needed elsewhere in the state would have to be diverted and allocated to the governor,” the governor’s spokesperson said.

    NAN reports that the governor, in consultation with security agencies, decided that it was more prudent to make the sacrifice.

    “It is better and more useful for the security agents, including soldiers, police, civil defence, DSS, to focus their attention on providing security for the election, than devoting large security contingent for the governor to cast his vote,” Bego said.

    Gaidam, who is also a senatorial candidate in yesterday’s election, commended security agencies for their effort to ensure a peaceful and successful election across the state.

    Alhaji MaiMala Buni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Yobe, said adequate preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ensured the success of the elections.

    He made the observation after casting his votes on Saturday in Damaturu, saying the timely commencement of the elections, adequate provision of election materials and security to the electorate made the election successful.

    “The massive turnout of voters was encouraged by the security apparatus put in place and the commitment to the preparations made by INEC. “The turnout is very impressive and the momentum should be maintained,” he said.

  • Boko Haram attack stops Yobe gov from voting

    Yobe State governor Ibrahim Gaidam could not travel to Bukarti, his country home, in Yunusari Local Government Area of the state to vote due to an early morning attack on Geidam by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Abdullahi Bego, Director General, Media affairs to the governor, confirmed the development in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Damaturu.

    Bego stated that the governor could not partake in the exercise.

    “The security agencies would naturally seek to reinforce and increase security around the governor for him to travel to cast his vote.

    “The increased security around the governor will mean that vital security resources that are needed elsewhere in the state would have to be diverted and allocated to the governor,” the governor’s spokeperson said.

    NAN reports that the governor, in consultation with security agencies decided that it was more prudent to make the sacrifice.

    “It is better and more useful for the security agents, including soldiers, police, civil defence, DSS, to focus their attention on providing security for the election than devoting large security contingent for the governor to cast his vote,” Bego said.

    Read Also: Air Force destroys Boko Haram Camp in Borno

    Gaidam, who is also a senatorial candidate in the Presidential and National Assembly election, commended security agencies for their effort to ensure a peaceful and successful election across the State.

    Alhaji MaiMala Buni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Yobe, said adequate preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ensured the success of the elections.

    He made the observation after casting his vote on Saturday in Damaturu, saying the timely commencement of the elections, adequate provision of election materials and security to the electorate made the election successful.

    “The massive turn out of voters was encouraged by the security apparatus put in place and the commitment to the preparations made by INEC.

    “The turnout is very impressive and the momentum should be maintained,” he said.

    NAN

  • Yobe chairmen refuse to handover after expiration of tenure

    13 local government chairmen in Yobe State whose elected tenure expired early this month have refused to handover to their Directors of Personal Management as directed by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

    Our correspondent discovered only four of the seventeen council chairmen have handed over to their DPMs as at the time of filling this report.

    The chairmen who have handed over include those of Gulani, Jakuso, Fika and Tarmuwa councils.

    Some of the DPMs, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.

    “As I speak with you now, only four local government chairmen have handed over to their DPMs in their Local Government. Those that have handed-over are Fika, Gulani, Tarmuma and Jakusko who did his handing over on Tuesday around 5.00pm,” one of the DPMs disclosed.

    Investigation revealed a close politician to the governor was alleged to have told the chairmen not to hand over with the assurance that Gaidam will reappoint them as caretaker chairmen.

    It will be recalled Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam through the Secretary to the State Government directed all the seventeen local government chairmen to hand over to their DPMs on 16th, February 2019 after expiration of their two- year tenure as elected chairmen.

    The statement by Shuibu Abdullahi, the Press secretary to the SSG reads: ”Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has approved the dissolution of Local Govt councils with effect from Saturday 16th February 2019 following the expiration of their tenure in office.

    “He further directed the Local Govt Chairmen to hand over the mantle of the leadership to their respective Directors of Personnel Management (DPM)”.

    A senior Local Government staff noted: “Yobe State has a tradition of re-appointing the Local Government chairmen back to their offices.

    “You are aware that some of them have been re-appointed more than twice after their tenure expires.

    “This development is apparently making them unperturbed in violating the Governor’s order”.

    But a source close to the governor said:“Except His Excellency changes his mind, he is not ready to re-appoint these chairmen.

    “He prefers the DPMs should continue in the remaining months until he hands over power on May 29, 2019”.

    The SSG, Baba Malam Wali, could not respond to calls and text message sent to him as at the time of filling this report.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftain Affairs in Yobe State, Dawa Maigari, in response to a text message said: “In a meeting. I’ll call later”.

  • Gaidam: Army rigged Yobe South for PDP in 2015

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has accused the Army of rigging the Yobe South senatorial election in 2015 for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    It warned the military to stay off Yobe politics, saying any fresh attempt to tamper with the forthcoming polls will be resisted.

    The governor spoke at the APC Yobe South grand rally held at Sabon Garin Nangere Town, Nangere Local Government of Yobe State.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the fact that zone B remains the stronghold of the PDP with one senator and a member of House of Representatives in the state.

    Gaidam lamented some politicians in the zone used military might to get elected in 2015, vowing he would not allow such incident to repeat itself.

    According to him: “In 2015 some politicians in Yobe zone ‘B’ used the military during the election. I want to send them a message. He should warn his soldiers.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise Boko Haram in Yobe

    “He should warn his officers. We cannot condone that this time around.  I have written to remind the Chief of Army Staff,   Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to warn his officers not to interfere in our politics or to be used by some politicians in Yobe South Senatorial Zone.

    “The soldiers should distance themselves from our politics.  But if you want to lose your job do it.   No matter how highly placed you are, be you a General or Field Marshal, if you interfere in the politics of zone B you will lose your job.

    “I will go to Abuja and tell the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai they used his soldiers to rig our senatorial election in Zone B in 2015.

    “I have already written the letter. I don’t have their names but those who did it know themselves.”

    Gaidam, who spoke glowingly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, called on the people of the zone to elect him.

    He assured Mai Mala will continue with the good works of his administration in the state.

    “He will take Yobe to higher heights. He would sustain the policy of accountability, probity and continued delivery of democratic dividend in the state,” he stressed

    Buni also promised not to deviate from the transformational policies of Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam in the state.

  • 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.

  • Gender equality: Gaidam endorses HeForShe campaign

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam  on Thursday endorsed ‘HeForShe’,  a  global campaign for gender equality and campaign against women and girls.

    Governor Ibrahim Gaidam  was represented at the occasion which was held at the amusement park of Open University of Nigeria, Damaturu.

    The event was organized  by the Yobe State Ministry of Women Affairs and UN Women, in partnership with Search for Common Ground, and with funding support from the Government of Japan.

    While pledging his commitment, the governor said apart from the previous support for women, his administration will not relent in the course of supporting women.

    Governor Gaidam was later decorated as a HeForShe, making history as the 4th governor and the state government to sign up for the HeForShe camapaign  after Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau States.

     In her remarks, Mrs Comfort Lamtey,  the Country Director, United Nations Women represented by Mrs  Lillian Unaegbu  announced that Yobe is the forth state after Plateau, Adamawa and Gombe, stressing that the campaign was  meant to mobilize men and boys to be advocates  by creating awareness on gender-base violence that results to physical, sexual or psychological harm to women and girls

    She noted that  “At least one in every five of the world’s female population has been physically or sexually abused at some time” and this calls for concern.

    Read Also: Yobe APC divided over Gaidam’s choice of successor

    UN Women  thanked Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for allowing women to hold positions in his government and for the campaign to hold in Yobe.

    The HeForShe lunch in Yobe attracted   over 150 stakeholders drawn from different sectors including Traditional Leaders, the  Police,  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Media and other men commit to be Gender Champions by promoting gender equality and women empowerment, at all levels.

    the Police Commissioner, Abdulmaliki Sumonu at the event  disclosed that  the signing of State Penal Code Amendment Law 2018 which prescribed  punishment for rape, kidnapping and unnatural offenses has led to the drop of rape cases drastically in the state.

    Most of the invited dignitaries were   recognized and decorated as HeForShe advocates in the State with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam as the number one HeForShe advocate in the state.

  • 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.