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Tag: Ibrahim Gaidam

  • N11bn Yobe cargo airport ready in five months-Shettima

    The Commissioner for Works in Yobe, Alhaji Lawan Shettima, on Thursday, said that the state’s N11.3 billion cargo airport would be completed in the next five months.

    The commissioner made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Damaturu.

    He gave the assurance that the airport contract awarded in September 2017 would be completed before the expiration of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s administration.

    “In spite of the additional works introduced in the project, work has reached 67 per cent completion.

    “The runway has reached 55 per cent, access road, 56 per cent; gate house, 73 per cent; and gauge wire fence of the entire airport, 100 per cent, just as the terminal has reached advanced stage,” Shettima said.

    According to the commissioner, the runway was extended from 3.1km to 4.1km and a round beam introduced to the terminal building, while the control tower was expanded with advice from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC slams Fayose for supervising ‘decay’ of utilities

    “The additional work will cost the state government another N4.3 billion, and the contractors said they would commence installation of the equipment by January 2019,” Shettima said.

    He said that the ministry had been adequately supervising the project to ensure quality work.

    “The parking bay at the airport fire service station has also been increased from two to three to accommodate additional fire fighting vehicles.

    “The state government has adequate funds to service completion of the project; in fact, government has opened a dedicated account for the airport project.

    “It is another project very close to the governor’s heart; he wants it completed in time,” he said.

  • ‘How we reconciled Gov. Gaidam, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim’

    The rift between former governor of Yobe State, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim and the current governor Ibrahim Gaidam over the Yobe East Senatorial seat  has been put to rest as the duo were Wednesday reconciled in Abuja.
    The outcome of the reconciliation preceded intensive talks and meetings facilitated by some close political associates of Sen. Abba Ibrahim including Alhaji Aji Bularafa, Dr. Sani Chiromari, Adamu Salleh, Alhaji Abdulraman Ibrahim and one of the friends of Yobe Dr. Sam Egwu.
    One of the peace mediator, Alhaji Aji Bularafa informed that they cannot sit and watch the hard earned reputation of the two political god fathers of Yobe fighting.
    “We cannot sit and watch these two very important people in our state fighting therefore we took the bull by the horn and thanks be to almight Allah, the outcome as you can see is fruitful,” Bularafa informed.
    The Nation recall that the two leaders were reconciled yesteday at the Yobe State Government Lodge at Asokoro in Abuja.

    Read Also: Paris Agreement: Sen. Bukar vows to ensure proposed renewable energy bill

    At the meeting, former governor, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim declared his withdrawal for the Yobe East Senatorial seat for the incubent governor Ibrahim Gaidam who will now stand unopposed.
    Sen. Bukar also endorsement the chioce of the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni as the candidate of the party for the governorship elections come 2019.
    Sen. Bukar noted that the furture of the state is bigger than his ambition and therefore cannot fight with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam whom he described as a good man.
    Sen. Bukar’s decision yesterday has reaffirm his earlier  stand where he told journalists three years ago that, ” I will never fight with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam over the senatorial seat. Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam is my brother. Anytime he wants the senatorial seat I will give it to him. It is his anytime he wants it”.
    Its is not clear whether Sen. Bukar cut a deal with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for stepping down his ambition  that from the surface, everything looks good for the party as Sen. Bukar declared that, “the APC in Yobe is now united and bigger more than ever before”.
    One of the mediator also told our correspondent that they will not stop at Bukar but make sure they reach out to other aspirants to queue behind Mai Mala Buni for the victory and development of Yobe State.
    Photo: Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim(middle) with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam(right) and Mai Mala Buni(left) at the unity meeting yesterday.

  • Rapists get life sentence in Yobe

    Yobe State government has taken steps to stem the growing cases of rape, homosexuality, lesbianism and other forms of unnatural sex practices involving men and animals in the state.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam apart from assenting into law the bill on ‘Yobe state Penal Code 2018 amendment bill’ which stipulates  life imprisonment for rape cases involving minors in the state has also vowed to allow the law takes its course regardless of who is involved.

    The signing ceremony took place at the council chambers of Government House Damaturu.

    Gov. Gaidam at the ceremony also noted that the event  was proactive measure aimed at  curtailing  the increase number of reported rape cases , kidnapping and unnatural offences in the state.

    The governor while reading the provisions of the law said; “The law stipulates clearly that whoever commit rape, where the victim is a minor shall be punished with imprisonment for life and where the victim is an adult, shall be jailed for a term of twenty-five (25) years.

    Read Also: Yobe: Aspirants query stakeholders’ option

    “The court shall award appropriate compensation to the victim as it deems fit in the circumstances” he said.

    The law equally did not spare kidnappers and anybody found violating the provision will serve a jail term of 14 years.

    “Whoever is ascertained and convicted to commit homosexual, lesbianism or bestiality l have committed unnatural offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to 25 years or not below 14 years..”.

    Gov. Gaidam also explained the commitment of his administration to the rule of law by the establishment of Citizens’ Rights Department in the State Ministry of Justice where public complaints are received and treated.

  • Yobe APC mandates Gaidam to anoint his successor

    The Yobe State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has mandated Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam to anoint his successor for the 2019 election.

    Gov. Gaidam will be serving out his mandatory second term as governor having taken over from Late Mamman Ali and elected twice as governor.

    The decision was taken at an extended critical stakeholders meeting at the WAWA Hall of government House Damaturu.

    The meeting also endorsed Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam as candidate for the Yobe East Senatorial district for the coming election as well as President Mohamadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the party.

    This decision has pinched Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam against former Gov. Bukar Abba Ibrahim who is currently occupying the seat from the same political party, the APC.

    Read Also: Niger approves N60m relief package for flood victims

    In the communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Meeting, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who is also the Deputy Governor of the state and the Secretary Idi Barde Gubana resolved as follow:

    Ø Unanimously adopts President Muhamadu Buhari(GCFR) as our party candidate in the forthcoming 2019 Presidential Election in Nigeria

    Ø The meeting also resolve to adopt consensus and where necessary indirect mode of nominating candidates to all elective positions under our great party(APC) in Yobe State

    Ø The meeting further resolves that a discretion is given to HE Alh. (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam to present a competent and acceptable person as the Gubernatorial Flag bearer of our great party(APC) in the forthcoming 2019 general elections for our dear state

    Ø The stakeholders from Yobe East Senatorial District equally, unanimously resolves that H.E Alh. (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam be the senatorial Candidate for the 2019 senatorial election.

    The meeting was attended by members of Commissioners and other members of the state executive council, members of the National Assembly from the state including the senate leader, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, Hon. Goni Bukar, Hon. Abdu Gulani, Hon. Samaila Gadaka.

    The Minister of State foreign Affairs and wife of former governor and current senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Hon. Khadija Abba Ibrahim was also in attendance.

    Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Hon. Yakubu Sidi Karasuwa were however absent at the meeting.

  • Yobe cheap fertilizer: Local govt commence distribution of product

    … commissioner denies huge allocations to high govt officials

     

    Investigation has revealed that almost all the 17 local government have received the quantity of fertilizer allocated to them by the state ministry of Agriculture less than 48 hours after the product was launched by Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam in Damaturu on Monday.

    Each of the 17 local governments was allocated six trucks of six hundred bags of the product amounting to a total of 3,600 bags per local government.

    The Nation recalled that Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam had lunched the 2018 fertilizer sales and distribution in Damaturu on Monday 13/08/2018 where he cut down the price for N3,000 as against the N8,000 current market value.

    Both the chairmen of Geidam, Nguru, Potiskum  have confirmed that the product had reached their headquarters before it was launched in Damaturu.

    According to the Chairman Geidam Local Government, the council has already commenced  the distribution of the product to farmers at the ward level to enable administer on their farms without delay.

    In another development, the commissioner for Agric in the State Engr. Mustapha Gajerima has denied rumors that more allocation was given to top government officials rather than the ordinary farmers in the state.

    The commissioner told our correspondent that “ anyone with such claims should come to my office and verify his claim. These are unsubstantiated rumour that usually come up at times like this.

    “What I can tell you is that we don’t take such rumours for granted especially if the people are coming to talk to you the press people. We are going to investigate the matter but I assure you nothing of such has been brought to my notice,” Engr. Gajerima informed.

    Read Also: Yobe cuts down fertilizer price for farming season

    The commissioner however admitted that “fertilizer is allocated to every government official but saying that the local farmers are being short-changed for top government official is not truth”.

    The Nation reports that Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at the lunching of the product in the state for the 2018 cropping season slashed down the price from N8000 to N3000 for farmers in the state.

    According to the governor, government should not be a money making venture but rather ameliorate the suffering of the people hence the subsidy on the product.

    He noted that the subsidy will give every Yobe farmer the opportunity to afford the product having suffered from the challenges of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Gov. Gaidam noted that with the heavy subsidy of the product is a strategy by his administration to ensure food security in the state since agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the state.

    “Consequent upon the state executive  council meeting of 5th July, 2018, we  approved the sum of N1,468,800,000.00 to procure 8,640 metric tons of 15-15-15 NPK fertilizer and make it available to our farmers for 2018 cropping season”

    “Though the price of fertilizer has gone up, but due to our commitment to the promotion of agricultural activities in our dear state, we have resolved to approved the sales  of a bag of fertilizer at a subsidized  rate of N3,000.00 per bag”,  Gaidam ordered.

    The governor called on farmers to make good use of the product and should not be tempted by the antics of middlemen who may entice them with the promise of buying it at more than the official approved price.

    Each of the seventeen local government councils of the state got an allocation of 3,600 bags with strong warning to the taskforce committee that the products be sold to genuine farmers.

  • Eid-el Kabir: Gaidam urges unity between Muslims and other religions

    … rechoes PVCs collection

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has called on Muslims to uphold ties that bind them with followers of other religion and humanity in general.

    The governor at his Eid-el Kabir message to the people of the state also called on Muslim faithful and all people in the state to be their brothers’ keepers

    He urged the people to especially concentrate on doing good to their neighbours, orphans, the poor and needy in society.

    “We must make sacrifices in order to strengthen our collective endeavour for the attainment and sustenance of a hamornious, peaceful, disciplined, fair, just and cohesive society. We should also make sacrifices to uphold the ties that bind the Muslims, followers of other religions and indeed all fellow human beings by showing natural inclinations through respect, kindness, love, generousity and truthfulness,” Gov. Gaidam admonished.

    He added That, “The acts of sacrifice we make in this festive period symbolize our willingness to give up on things and bounties that are of benefit to us for the sake of others. We should learn to make sacrifices and strive for the attainment of a happy society where we all live as our brothers’ keepers. We should share the good things we have with our neighbours, the poor and the needy among us in the spirit of brotherhood”, the governor said.

    Gov. Gaidam also stressed that the symbolism of sacrifice during El-el Kabir underlines the need for “respect, kindness, love, generosity and faithfulness” among Muslims and between Muslims and followers of other religions.

    The governor promised to continue his service delivery through the execution and implementation of his administration programs and policies untill his last day in office.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Masari felicitates with Muslims

    “I wish to seize the opportunity provided by this solemn occasion to reassure all our citizens that, in spite of all challenges that we have to contend with as a state, our administration shall continue to remain focused and committed to the sustainability of our developmental programmes aimed at making life more meaningful to the citizenry.

    “Let me stress that as we are approaching the last lap of our administration, our focus shall continue to be geared towards consolidating the improved security situation in the state, completion of all ongoing projects and giving attention to the task of post-insurgency resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction through effective and efficient collaboration with our development partners and other stakeholders”, he said.

    The governor also used the occasion to appeal to the people of the state who have not collected their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) to do so before the closing date of August 31st, 2018, stressing that, “This is the surest way of empowering our people to make the right choice of electing responsible leaders who will effectively use the powers of representation to make good decisions in accordance with their yearnings and aspirations”.

    The governor also stressed the importance of the national ID card to national planning, urging people in the state to register with the National Identity Management Commission and get their national ID cards.

    The governor also called not to take their security for granted but continue to be vigilant within their neighbourhood.

    The Nation observes that this Eid-el-Kabir will be the last one Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam will be celebrating an executive governor as his second constitional term in office terminates by May, 29, 2019.

  • Yobe APC chairman escapes removal from office

     …denies resignation rumours

    The State Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Adamu Chilariye and some members of his exco on Friday escaped Gov. Gaidam’s wrath over allegations of disloyalty and unhealthy relationship with some political aspirants.

    The Nation investigation revealed Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and his Deputy Abubakar Aliyu  with members of the party executives,  some  stakeholders and othe top  government officials convened a crucial  meeting yesterday at  the governor’s office over allegations of disloyalty on the State Party Chairman, Adamu Chilariyel  and some members of his exco.

    Prior to the meeting on Friday, a source told The Nation that the chairman of the party may be removed or issued a  stern warning  from Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam over allegations of his romance with one or some governorship aspirants contrary to the governor’s endorsement.

    The source revealed that Mr. Chilariye has exhibited some level of disloyalty to the governor by supporting a particular aspirant without the approval of the governor who is yet to announce his successor come 2019.

    A stalwart of the party in the state who does not want to be mentioned informed that the governor is very angry with the action of the party chairman and the consequences may be dire.

    Another source revealed that Mr. Chilariye had earlier put in a resignation but was turned down by the governor asking him to await the outcome of the investigation panel which is chaired by the commissioner of works, transport and energy, Lawan Shettima.

    An insider from the meeting told our correspondent that the governor decided to give Mr. Chilariye a second chance but asked him to go to the press and publicly disassociate himself with any person aspiring to be governor in the state.

    “The meeting was hot and tense. He was told the truth and he admitted his mistakes so the governor decided to ask him to go an denounced publicly those he has been romancing with to press. He is lucky. This is like a warning to him. We opted for the warning so as not to create tension in the system. Yobe State APC is one of the most disciplined and we can’t afford to be seeing in bad light,” the source informed.

    At the press briefing which was held at the NUJ Press Centre in Damaturu, Mr. Chilariye while fielding questions from reported denied that he never at any point contemplated of resigning his position.

    He also informed that the party is not backing a particular candidate, just as he maintained that no aspirant has written to the party of their intention to contest the 2019 election.

    The chairman also warned aspirants spreading false claims that they were endorsed by the party hierarchy in the state.

    Read Also: Yobe cuts down fertilizer price for farming season

    “As preparation for the 2019 general elections, it has come to the notice of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yobe State that some political aspirants have begun to deceive our teeming members that the State SEC has anointed or endorse them.

    “The State Exco disassociates itself from such utterances.

    “The SEC wishes to state that it has no anointed aspirant and will only support the candidate that emerges as the party’s flag bearer during the primary elections.

    “Whosoever claims that the party exco is behind him at this stage is only telling lies just to deceive the unsuspecting members of our party,” Mr. Chilariye said.

    The chairman also accused PDP political holders in Zone B of using surrogates to purchase voters card within Potiskum town at the rate of N5,000, adding that his party has already lodged a complaint to security over the matter.

  • Yobe cuts down fertilizer price for farming season

    Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has slashed down the price of fertilizer from N8000 to N3000 for farmers in the state for the 2018 cropping season.

    The Governor disclosed this at flagged off ceremony for sales and distribution of the commodity to farmers in the state for 2018 cropping season in the state.

    According to the governor, government should not be a money making venture but rather ameliorate the suffering of the people hence the subsidy on the product.

    He noted that the subsidy will give every Yobe farmer the opportunity to afford the product having suffered from the challenges of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Gov. Gaidam noted that with the heavy subsidy of the product is a strategy by his administration to ensure food security in the state since agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the state.

    “Consequent upon the state executive  council meeting of 5th July, 2018, we  approved the sum of N1,468,800,000.00 to procure 8,640 metric tons of 15-15-15 NPK fertilizer and make it available to our farmers for 2018 cropping season”

    “Though the price of fertilizer has gone up, but due to our commitment to the promotion of agricultural activities in our dear state, we have resolved to approved the sales  of a bag of fertilizer at a subsidized  rate of N3,000.00 per bag”. Gaidam ordered.

    Read Also: Flood destroys 100 houses in Yobe

    The governor called on farmers to make good use of the product and should not be tempted by the antics of middlemen who may entice them with the promise of buying it at more than the official approved price.

    Each of the seventeen local government councils of the state got an allocation of 3,000 bags with strong warning to the taskforce committee that the products are sold to genuine farmers.

    In another development, Gov. Gaidam had also distributed start-up equipment to 55 graduate trainees as part of its economic empowerment and poverty alleviation programme in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme.

    The Nation checks reveal that over 120 youths were trained in various life supporting skills at Peugeot automobile Limited Kaduna and Yola Technical Training centre.

    The Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria Yobe State Usman Ngari praised the commitment of the governor to the farmers in the state to realise their potentials.

    “With this heavy subsidy that government has given us, it’s now left for us to go and do our best to feed the nation,” Ngari said.

    Some of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent also commended the subsidy of the government but regretted that the fertilizer is coming late.

    “I will try and buy to keep it for the next cropping season. As for this season, it’s already late”, one of the farmers informed.

  • Sallah: Gaidam lauds sustained peace & security

    Yobe state governor Ibrahim Gaidam has praised in the sustained security in the state attributing it to prayers of the people and the resilience of security operatives in the state and the region.

    In his Sallah message to the people, Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam noted that sustained prayers of good people is what has defeated the insurgency in the state.

    He called on the people to use the lessons of Ramadan which instills discipline, truthfulness, patience, humility, devotion and obedience to the Almighty Allah and move those virtues beyond the Ramadan period.

    The governor noted that through prayers, the kidnapped Dapchi girls were safely returned except for a few that died in the process while calling on the people not to recent in their prayers for the total return of peace in the region.

    He praised the gallantry of the security forces whom he said fought very hard and made sacrifices to secure the state and the region from the hands of Boko terrorists.

    Read Also: Emir Sanusi leads Eid prayer, warn youths against drug abuse

    Gov. Gaidam thank the International Non-Governmental Organizations and other NGOs while calling on them to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation program of the state as peace has returned.

    Meanwhile, the state witnessed a peaceful sallah celebration as muslim faithful trooped out in droves to observe the two rakat prayers at the different EID praying grounds in the state.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam with his Deputy, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the National Secretary of All Progressive Congress, Mai Mala Buni, the Chief Justice of Yobe State, Justice Garba Nabaruma, the Head of Service of Yobe State Salleh Abubabar, members of the State Executive council and many other prayed at the Yobe Central Mosque amidst tigyt security.

  • Eid celebrations: Police deploys Special Forces to praying ground in Borno/Yobe

    …5000 police for Borno

    The  Yobe State Police Command and it counterpart in  Borno State have deployed special forces including  men of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) to secure all praying grounds across the states 24 hrs before the prayers on Friday.

    The measure according to security source is to comb all praying ground and ensure no explosive is planted at the venue before worshipers arrive for their prayers tomorrow for the Eid prayers.

    Both states have also placed restriction of movement on vehicles and animals like donkeys and horses within the period of prayers.

    In Yobe State, restriction of movement will begin from 10.00pm on Thursday night to 10.00m on Friday according to a statement by Abdullahi Bego, the Director General of Information and Press Affairs to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam.

    The restriction of movement Bego said will however exempt people on emergency services or those with security clearance.

    In Borno State, the State Police Commisioner Damian Chukwu announced in a press briefing that over 5,000 policemen are to be deployed during the Eid-el—Fitr celebration in the  State.

    Mr. Damian Chukwu, said recent suicide attacks on Maiduguri has  called for concern during the sallah  hence the need for serious security.

    Read Also: Police gun down two robbers

    He said: “This year’s Sallah celebration is expected to come up on 15th June, 2018. Security arrangements, including the deployment of over 5,000 policemen have been put in place to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration

    “Because of the security threats and recent incidents of suicide bombings, there will be restriction of vehicular movements”.

    He noted that “the restriction will affect all motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles, horses, donkeys, wheelbarrows, camels, among others”.

    The CP called on Muslim faithful to cooperate with security operatives and use the prayer ground close to their homes so as to arrive early for the prayers.

    Meanwhile, the police in both states have since commenced ‘Show of Force’ by joint teams of all security forces during the festival.

    Aerial surveillance of military aircraft have increased in the airspace of Borno and Yobe as many residents have noticed fighter jets flying at low altitudes on the cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu.