Gombe

By Muhammad Abubakar

Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS12.31 Potiskum Unit Command, on Sunday morning intercepted an overloaded Volkswagen Golf along the Potiskum–Gombe (PKM-GME) highway.

The vehicle, with registration number TRN 59 SB, was stopped during a routine patrol as part of the Corps’ nationwide enforcement operation targeting overloading and other critical traffic offences.

According to the patrol team, the vehicle was found to be carrying passengers and cargo in excess of the permitted limit, a violation that significantly increases the risk of road accidents.

“This action is in line with the Corps’ commitment to reducing road crashes caused by reckless practices such as overloading,” a spokesperson for the unit said.

No injuries were reported during the interception. The vehicle has been impounded, and further investigations are underway.

The FRSC continues to urge motorists to comply with traffic regulations and prioritise safety for all road users.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Gombe State Police Command has arrested 28-year-old Hannatu Ibrahim for allegedly stealing $35,000 (approximately N53.5 million) from her Syrian employer, Mohammed Jurdi, before setting his house on fire in the New GRA area of Gombe.

According to police spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi, two other suspects—Ahmed Adamu, 20, and Abubakar Ibrahim, 28—were also apprehended in connection with the crime.

Ibrahim, who worked as a cook for Jurdi, was caught in possession of $7,100 of the stolen money when a police patrol team responded to a distress call on March 22, 2025.

The investigation revealed that Ibrahim had stolen the money from her employer and set his house ablaze. During questioning, Ibrahim disclosed that Adamu was the first person she contacted, and he had taken two $100 bills.

Police later found one of the $100 bills in Adamu’s wallet. Abubakar Ibrahim, a security guard employed by Jurdi, was arrested as well in relation to the theft.

Exhibits recovered include $7,100 from Ibrahim and $100 from Adamu.

The case is under investigation and will be taken to court once completed.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Angry youths in Gombe State have looted Ramadan palliative supplies reportedly meant for distribution by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The incident occurred as part of a Ramadan feeding program launched by Seyi Tinubu during his visits to northern states for Iftar celebrations with residents and political leaders.

Seyi’s initiative, aimed at assisting the less privileged during the holy month, has sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media.

While some welcomed the gesture, others criticized it, arguing that the north deserved more sustainable support than temporary palliative aid.Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, son of Bauchi State Governor, voiced his displeasure on Facebook, urging Seyi to implement long-term empowerment programs.

He suggested that the youths in Bauchi needed job opportunities, business startups, and digital skills training rather than food parcels.

“Teach our youths how to fish rather than feed them for one day,” he said.

In Gombe, the distribution of palliative items, including rice, sugar, oil, salt, and pasta, quickly turned chaotic.

Video footage showed youths unloading and carting away cartons of food from a truck, with some throwing the items to others on the ground.

Two trucks containing 3,500 cartons of food had been allocated to the state, but while one was reportedly distributed, the other was intercepted by the angry youths.

Observers have suggested that the distribution might have been sabotaged by those left out of the initial handout event, which took place at the state’s APC Secretariat.

Seyi’s outreach initiative, while framed as part of the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement program, is also seen by some as a strategic political move to strengthen his father’s political foothold in the northern region, where there is still some resistance to his re-election.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, today joined his counterparts and key national stakeholders for the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, presided over by Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, was attended by state governors, ministers, and other essential policymakers to discuss and devise solutions for Nigeria’s pressing economic issues.

During the opening, Vice President Shettima highlighted the critical need for sustained collaboration between federal and state governments to implement policies aimed at economic recovery and sustainable growth.

The NEC meeting’s resolutions are expected to set a renewed agenda for tackling inflation, enhancing fiscal stability, and boosting economic resilience amid global and domestic pressures.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has praised teachers in Gombe State and across Nigeria for their dedication, resilience, and hard work, acknowledging their efforts in molding the next generation.

In his goodwill message to mark the World Teachers’ Day, today, Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that teachers are not just educators, but key stakeholders in the development of society.

This year’s theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” underscores the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of education and the necessity of incorporating their voices into policy decisions.

“In a world that is constantly evolving, the input of teachers in shaping educational policies is important. The theme of this year’s celebration is a call for all of us to recognize the importance of teachers and to ensure that their voices are heard in decision-making processes,” he said.

Reflecting on the efforts of his administration to improve the welfare of teachers, Governor Inuwa Yahaya highlighted several initiatives that have been implemented under his leadership.

These include the recruitment of new teachers to address manpower shortages, regular payment of salaries and entitlements, teacher training and capacity-building programmes, as well as improvements in school infrastructure to create better working conditions for educators.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that teachers in Gombe State are well-supported and motivated. We understand that quality education cannot be achieved without investing in the well-being and professional development of our teachers. This is why we have consistently prioritized their welfare, from timely salary payments to providing opportunities for training and career advancement,” the Governor stated.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved the appointment of Abdulmalik Suleiman Abubakar as Senior Special Assistant (SSA 1) and Focal Person for the Solution for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities (SOLID) Project.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, who conveyed the Governor’s approval, said in his new role, Abdulmalik will be responsible for spearheading the SOLID Project.

The project focuses on providing sustainable solutions to improve the living conditions, welfare, and integration of displaced populations, while simultaneously strengthening the socio-economic capacities of host communities across Gombe State.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya expects the new appointee to bring to bear, his wealth of experience, to ensure efficient coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and international partners involved in SOLID project to deliver tangible results.

This appointment is with immediate effect.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has granted clemency to 23 convicts as part of the celebrations marking the state’s 28th anniversary and Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.

This was made known in the Governor’s goodwill message to the people of Gombe State and the nation on the dual occasions.

The clemency announced by the Governor extends beyond the release of convicts, as he also commuted life sentences for two individuals to 15 years, reduced two death sentences to life imprisonment, adjusted one detainee’s sentence to 10 years, and commuted the death sentences of four death row inmates to 15 years in prison.

The Governor explained that these actions followed the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. He expressrd hope that the pardoned individuals will seize the opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

While reflecting on the progress made in Gombe State since its creation in 1996, as well as the challenges facing the state and the country, the Governor urged citizens to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that these are the cornerstones of the state’s development.

He noted the economic difficulties many citizens are currently facing, particularly in light of the removal of fuel subsidies and the resulting inflation.

While acknowledging the strain this has placed on families, Governor Inuwa reaffirmed the state’s commitment to easing the burden through palliative measures, citing food distribution programme reaching over 750,000 beneficiaries and transport allowances for state workers, with further discussions underway regarding the implementation of a new minimum wage.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also reflected on the state’s achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, pointing out that his administration had constructed over 900 kilometers of roads across all Local Government Areas, expanded healthcare facilities, and improved access to education through the construction of classrooms and recruitment of teachers.

As Gombe State looks to the future, the Governor pledged continued focus on empowering youth, supporting farmers, and improving the quality of life for families across the state.

He called on citizens to remain patient and united in the face of economic challenges, expressing confidence that current reforms would eventually lead to a more resilient and prosperous future.

Governor Inuwa, who is also the Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, urged citizens to celebrate with gratitude for the progress made and renewed commitment to building a future defined by unity, prosperity, and opportunity for all.

He prayed for peace and stability in Gombe and across Nigeria, reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensuring the state’s long-term growth and success in line with its development agenda.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of ASP Yusuf Balami, who until his death served as the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the late ASP Balami as a fine gentleman and an exemplary officer whose commitment to duty left a positive mark on the command and the state.

“ASP Yusuf Balami was a humble and committed officer who served with distinction. He was well known and respected for his dedication to his professional duties and the well-being of Gombe State,” the Governor said.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late officer, his colleagues in the Gombe State Police Command, and the entire Nigerian Police Force.

He prayed for Allah’s comfort and strength for the bereaved, and for Him to grant the deceased Aljannat Firdaus.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State Government under the L-PRES Project has distributed 800 kilograms of fodder seeds and shrubs materials to livestock farmers to encourage the production of pasture for livestock feed in the state.

The intervention targeted verified livestock farmers with 20 different varieties of fodder seeds and shrubs materials across the 11 local government areas of the state.

Distributing the materials on behalf of the L-PRES Project Coordinator Professor U.B. Abubakar, the Animal Health Officer to the Project Dr. Mohammed Umar Yuguda charged the beneficiaries to ensure optimal use of the materials provided to enhance the quality and nutritional content of livestock feed.

He said the fodder seeds when planted have the capacity to produce large quantities of feed with high nutritional value that can be used and preserved as supplementary feed during the dry season for improved production of beef and dairy products.

Speaking on the essence of the intervention, the Animal Husbandry Officer to the Project Mohammed Bukar Gadam said, plans are also underway to provide crop residue crushing and fodder chopper machines to livestock cooperative societies in the state.

He highlighted that the project is in the process of turning waste into wealth with the introduction of such facilities farmers will through their cooperatives process and package animal feed thereby reducing wastage of crop residue and further increase the rate of consumption in livestock which he said would increase both the quantity and quality of beef and dairy produced by their livestock.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries theChairman Koutal Hore Socio Cultural Association Gombe State Branch Ardo Chindo Abubakar expressed appreciation to Gombe L-PRES Project for its numerous support programs to livestock farmers in the state.

He commended the State Governor Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for his laudable initiatives to transform the livestock sector into a modern industry and assured the project of their continuous support achieve its objectives.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, yesterday, visited the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States of America.

During the visit, the Governor met with the university’s authority and agricultural experts, with discussions focused on exploring avenues for collaboration that could enhance the agricultural value chain in Gombe State.

One of the key areas of focus is the introduction of appropriate mechanization technologies that are tailored to the specific needs of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed optimism that this partnership would lead to the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable solutions that can enhance food security and promote rural economic growth in the state.

In addition to mechanization, smart agricultural practices—such as precision farming and water-efficient irrigation systems were also discussed.