Local Gombe Gombe news, Nigeria
Nigerian government to engage 11,000 youths for extended special public works programme in Gombe
A total of 11,000 youths are to be engaged in Gombe State for the Federal Government powered Extended Special Public Works Programme which is aimed at reducing the rate of unemployment in the state.
The disclosure was made by the Programme Coordinator in Gombe State, Mrs Abigail Albashi, while inaugurating committee members for the implementation of the program in Gombe on Monday.
Ábigail Abarshi explained that the special works programme was designed to mitigate against the lack of job opportunities in rural and suburban areas through a short term engagement of 1,000 unemployed persons per Local Government Area for the period of three months pointing out that of the 1000 persons in each of the LGAs, 200 would be graduates in various fields of study.
She further said that the beneficiaries of the programme would be receiving the sum of N20,000 allowance monthly saying that the participants would be engaged in active community-related services that are peculiar to their respective LGAs such as Drainage digging and Clearance, Irrigation canals clearing, Rural Feeder Road Maintenance and Traffic control among others.
Others public works to be done include; Street cleaning, Cleaning of public infrastructure like health centres, schools and the likes saying that each LGA needs to channel its programme to meet the needs and expectations of the area.
Ábigail Albashi further said that the programme will begin on 1st October, and ends in December 2020 adding that it be extended every year but it depends on how successful it was implemented and how buoyant the Federal Government purse is.
She then charged the committee members to ensure that the task is taken seriously with patriotism explaining that apart from the main implementation committee, five sub-committees were also inaugurated to ensure smooth and faster implementation of the programme.
In his remarks, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, charged the committee members to exhibit a high level of transparency and integrity while carrying out the assignment.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Youth and Sport, Julius Ishaya, said that the state government is aware of the level of unemployment in the state and the ravaging effect of covid-19 in the adding that the programme is timely.
He further expressed confidence In the committee members following the calibre of persons nominated as members.
The committees Inaugurated are; Government/Liaison, Traditional Institution, Information and Publicity, Women and Civil Society.
Gombe inaugurates 10-man committee on reopening of school
Gombe State Government has inaugurated a 10-man committee on the reopening of schools for graduating pupils and students across the state as directed by the PTF on COVID-19.
The development follows the recommendation by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 that schools across the country be reopened for only graduating students in primary and post-primary tiers of education.
Gombe State Commissioner of Education, Dr Habu Dahiru who inaugurated the committee said that it marks another milestone in the improvement of the education sector in Gombe State.
The commissioner while inaugurating the committee stated that: “You may recall that the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had on the 24th of March 2020 directed the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state as a proactive measure to curtail the spread of the COVID-19.”
Habu Dahiru also said that Governor Inuwa Yahaya showed passionate concern as soon as the PTF recommended the re-opening of schools for graduating pupils and students.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the executive chairman, state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Babaji Babadidi said that the Board will work in partnership with the State Ministry of Education to ensure that students are protected from COVID-19.
While Responding, the chairman of the committee, Mr Dilah Magaji said that they will work to satisfy the demands of the terms of reference given to them.
According to the terms of reference, the committee will assess and analyse the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the academic activities of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state.
The committee will also suggest a diligent and well thought out method for the gradual reopening of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state in consonance with COVID-19 protocols as well as recommend appropriate methods and best practices to be put in place in the Primary and Secondary Schools as safety nets and precaution for the reopening of all schools in the state.
It will also make recommendations on how to address and bridge the gaps in teaching/learning process brought about by the sudden closure of all schools during the lockdown with a view to identify the lost academic period and to develop deliberate strategic steps for the sensitisation of all stakeholders in the education such as PTA’s SBMC’s Head Teachers/Principal, among others for the smooth and hitch-free reopening of all the schools in the state.
According to him, the committee is to also propose a well planned academic calendar for the remaining period of the 2019/2020 academic session for Primary and Secondary Schools in consonance with the prevailing trends in the country and develop effective monitoring strategy for ensuring that all schools comply with approved recommendations before, during and after reopening of schools and to advise the government on the financial burden and cost implications of the adopted procedure, amongst others.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the commissioner of education in one week.
Flood: NESREA tasks Gombe residents on waste management
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has urged Gombe State residents to imbibe the culture of proper waste management to prevent environmental degradation like flooding.
The NESREA Coordinator in the state, Mr Adamu Saurayi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Monday.
He said that the call became necessary because many residents were in the habit of dumping solid waste in the drains, especially during the rainy season.
According to him, the spread of COVID-19 in the state is an additional reason residents need to properly dispose waste like used face masks to avoid putting others at risk.
Saurayi cautioned residents against using the rains as way of sweeping away wastes through drains, adding that such could lead to blockage of drains which could further result to spread of infectious diseases.
He noted that “from the onset of the rainy season, we have been receiving complaints on environmental issues, including poor disposal of wastes and we often move in to create awareness and ensure that our environment is not abused.
“We must protect our environment as our actions toward the environment may create serious issues like flooding and erosion, which are often avoidable in some instances through proper waste management.”
He called on communities to encourage their people to properly dispose solid wastes by designating refuse collection points for proper evacuation by relevant agencies.
He also called on the state government to build more refuse collection centres to encourage people to properly dispose, as well as evacuate wastes.
He said “if you tell someone not to dispose wastes indiscriminately; you must build a collection point where they should take wastes to. If this is not available, then the risk of abusing the environment will be high.’’
While commending the state government’s initiative of planting one million trees every year, the state coordinator said the trees planted under the initiative were growing well in several communities across the state.
He also called on the people to support government’s drive to resuscitate the environment by taking advantage of the rains to plant more trees.
Latest news Gombe - here are the news of nearby cities
We will welcome federal lockdown – Bauchi governor
Following the listing of Bauchi among high-risk states for the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Bala Mohammed has said that he would welcome a federal lockdown if it becomes necessary.
Following the listing of Bauchi among high-risk states for the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Bala Mohammed has said that he would welcome a federal lockdown if it becomes necessary.
The governor advised state residents to strictly observe the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols on social distancing, wearing of face masks and washing of hands and the use hand sanitizers to curtail the spread of the virus.
‘I am worried because you can see the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has listed Bauchi local government as one of those metropolises that are prone to COVID-19 and we should be careful,’ he said.
Governor Mohammed gave the advice shortly after inspecting the Molecular Laboratory established by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) under the Federal Ministry of Education at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital.
‘We have relaxed on these issues especially at the centre in Bauchi. This thing is real.
‘I am advising the people of Bauchi State, especially at the centre, that this thing (COVID-19) is not over. We don’t want to carry the sledgehammer and kill the fly, we don’t want to come and apply the rule hook line and sinker and could be unpleasant but certainly when it must be done. You can see even the Federal Government is mooting the idea of locking down Bauchi town; I don’t want that because it causes a lot of problems and challenges. I will advise that we exact our own corporate and individual responsibilities,’ he said.
‘The Federal Government is right because they have facts at their disposal that we are not exercising the social distancing, [that] we are not excessing the protocol. This COVID-19 is packed in Bauchi State and you know some of the perceptions may be misplaced because most of those who brought the disease are coming from outside the state, as explained by our health commissioner and the Executive Chairman of the State PHCDA…’
The governor reiterated his administration’s policy that whoever comes to the state on transfer will be tested for COVID-19 in view of the PTF’s warning.
‘I will plead with the Presidential Taskforce to look at it comprehensively but where it feels it can apply it, good. I am a federalist; I believe in the Federal Government and I believe in our responsibility to subsist as a federating state, and so therefore there is no conflict. If that will be applied, we are ready to cushion the effect, provide the palliatives and solace to the people so that lockdown will be effected,’ he said.
Bauchi Governor, Mohammed, Suspends Emir Over Herdsmen, Farmers Clash
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has suspended the Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, following herdmen-farmers clash in Hardawa ward under Misau Local Government Area of the state which led to the killing of nine persons.
Also suspended alongside the emir are the district head of Chiromah and village head of Zadawa or his representative.
The governor had on Tuesday, suspended the Caretaker Chairman of Misau LGA, Yaro Gwaram, the deputy, Baidu Kafin-Misau, and his secretary, Usman Abdu, for their failure to stop the violence.
The clash was over ownership of land in the surrounding settlement where herders are located and had been grazing for several years even though the land belonged to government.
The land was to be converted to farming land by the local government, a development that did not go down well with the herders.
Taraba declares three-day holiday for council poll
Taraba Government has declared Monday June 29, Tuesday June 30 and Wednesday July 1, as public holidays to enable residents of the state participate in the local government council poll slated for June 30, 2020.
This was contained in a statement by Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Darius Ishaku, on Monday in Jalingo.
“The public holiday is to enable civil servants to travel to their respective wards and vote during the local government election slated for Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
“The governor also urged people of the state to be orderly, law abiding and conduct themselves peacefully while discharging their civic responsibilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations under the auspices of Eyes on Democracy of Nigeria (EDON) has activated a situation room to monitor the election to ensure that it was free, fair and credible.
Alhaji Muktar Madaki, the State EDON Chairman, in a statement on Monday, said that a comprehensive report on the electoral process would be made after the election.
“We have been observing the preparations by Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) and we are so far satisfied with the preparations.
“It now behoves on the people to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise as responsible citizens.
“We are also calling on security agencies to be civil during the conduct of the election and operate within the ambit of their engagement in regards to electoral matters.
“We also call of TSIEC to ensure that the election is credible, peaceful, free and fair,” he said.
Jigawa directs workers to resume work Monday
Jigawa Government has directed workers from grade level 12 and above to resume work as from Monday, July 6.
Gov. Muhammad Badaru, who gave the directive at a news conference in Dutse on Tuesday, declared that the state has not recorded new cases of COVID-19 in the last 15 days.
Newsmen report that the state government had on March 24, directed workers to work from home as part of measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
He explained that workers must adhere to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) regulations on COVID-19 prevention.
The governor also announced the indefinite closure of Shuwarin weekly market in Kiyawa Local Government Area of the state.
Badaru said that the market was closed for not complying with stipulated preventive measures against COVID-19 pandemic.
He further said that the state was gradually overcoming the COVID-19 surge as it had not recorded new infection in spite of intensive testing.
He added that the development has made the state task force on COVID-19 to mainstream all the 19 general hospitals in the state to enable them receive and test patients for the disease.
The governor stated that after testing, samples would be transferred to the newly established molecular laboratory for the results.
He said that in spite of the reduction in the number of recorded cases, there were indications that people were not abiding by NCDC advice on the use of facemasks, social distancing and washing of hands.
Badaru, who thanked the Dangote Group for donating two ambulances to the state, said that all state commissioners have pledged 10 per cent of their salaries to assist in the fight against the pandemic.
The state government had on March 30, suspended all weekly markets as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
However, government on June 8, lifted the suspension on condition that people must observe basic protection measures, including hand washing and use of facemasks while in the markets.
Police arrest 11 suspects for ‘raping’ 12-year-old in Jigawa
The Police Command in Jigawa has arrested 11 suspects for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.
The Spokesman of the command, SP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the arrest to newsmen, on Sunday, in Dutse.
Jinjiri said the suspects (names withheld) were arrested on May 30, in Dutse Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that the suspects were apprehended after the police received a complaint that one of the suspects, aged 57 of Ma’ai village was seen at Limawa market in Dutse LGA, trying to lure the victim.
“A case of rape is being investigated at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dutse, sequel to a report received by the Police that a 57-year-old man of Ma’ai village, Dutse LGA was seen at Limawa market trying to lure a 12-year-old girl of the same address, to seclusion so as to have sexual intercourse with her,” he said.
Jinjiri added that in the course of interrogation, the victim listed names of 11 men who had sexual intercourse with her at different times on many occasions.
“And to this end, the police arrested the listed suspects,” Jinjiri said, adding that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were completed.
Governor Buni-led APC caretaker committee promises true reconciliation
As part of measure to make progress on its mandate in reconciling all factions in the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led committee has promised to embark on genuine reconciliation of all party leaders and members ahead of the planned convention.
Chairman, Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress party and Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, said this during the formal inauguration of the committee at the party’s national Secretariat.
The ruling APC had been enmeshed in protracted leadership crisis which lasted for months, culminating in the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee (NWC).
Buni, while swearing-in other members of the committee at the party Secretariat, said that the committee believed that the decision of NEC, which birthed his committee, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the party.
He urged all members to accept and abide by the President’s appeal that all parties to withdraw their cases in courts for smooth negotiations in the interest of the party.
Buni stated: “lt is time for this committee to commence the process of true reconciliation among leaders and members of the party at all levels. It is our belief that the decision by NEC to constitute this committee will mark the beginning of a new chapter in our great party.
“Change is inevitable and disagreement on issues and concepts are an integral part of human and institutional relationship. As a political party built on strong ideology and, parading men and women of enduring principle and integrity, we must prepare for real and anticipated changes and their consequences. The outcomes of changes that evolve in our party politics must be decided by us.
“As the interim managers and leaders of our party, our priority would be the recognition of the need to act appropriately and acceptably in the overall interest of the party. Our actions in the next few months would be proactive and responsive.
“From now onward, we will concentrate on medium and long term development of our strategies and internal organisation to support our public standing as well as our chances of electoral successes in all future elections. This is the time for us to focus with determination to create adaptive institutional capacity to weather the current divisions in our Party.”
The Chairman of the committee commended members of the party who have sustained their support to the party all through the period.
On his part, the immediate Deputy National Secretary of the party, Victor Giadom while officially handing over the Secretariat to the Caretake/Extra-ordinary Convention said given the quality of persons driving the committee, he is convinced that the party will be repositioned to the pride of its party members.
His words: ” I am grateful to God, President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders for rescuing our party from what would have fallen the party. Today, our party has been repositioned to greater height and I can assure you with calibre of people so selected by the NEC to pilot the leadership of this party into the National Convention.
“I feel indeed grateful and reassure that our party will remain strong and stronger and come out from the crisis which we were all in in the past few months. I’m more grateful to the members of our party and decision of NEC.
“The party is bigger than all of us. So, it is our collective responsibility as former members of NWC to work hand in hand with the committee to see to the success of the committee.
“APC is a large family, in a family, there is bound to disagreement and what is important is ability of the family to come to agreement. Today, with the formation of caretaker committee, we are close to agreement and I’m sure this committee will do the needful and our party will become stronger,” Giadom stated.
BREAKING: New APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Buni, Promises To Carry All Aggrieved Members Along
Newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of All Progressives Congress and Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has said that the committee would carry all aggrieved members of the party along.
Buni, who arrived the party secretariat in Abuja shortly after the virtual National Executive Committee meeting headed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday was accompanied by three governors to the APC secretariat.
He said, "As two time former National Secretary of this party, I know the party very well and I want to assure every APC member we will do justice because we have a government and as a team player, if we don’t manage crisis, crisis will manage you.
"Without justice there will be no peace. I promise justice for every APC members."
Yobe Residents Groan Over Sub-standard Solar Streetlights Installed By Top Government Official
Residents of Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, have expressed concern over the crumbling state of solar streetlights installed by a government official, who was given the contract for the project.
Some residents observed that solar streetlights installed in 2007 during the time of a former governor, Mamman Ali, were still functioning properly while those recently erected by the present administration through a top government official at a huge amount had started collapsing.
One resident, who craved anonymity, told SaharaReporters that the collapse of the streetlights was an indication of the shoddy execution of the contract and failure of the government to ensure that public projects were done according to global standards.
He said, “The contractors had a field day and now the whole project is gradually falling apart.
“Now, it is very risky plying roads where these streetlights have been installed. The possibility of the gigantic iron falling on individuals or cars is frightening.”
