Gombe

 Residents of Hashidu Ward have poured encomiums on Aishatu Umar Maigari following the successful completion of her tenure, as Commisoner Ministry of Education Gombe State, citing her contributions to education, infrastructure, and community welfare. In a statement issued on behalf of the community by Mamman Maigari, the residents described her tenure as transformative, marked by tangible projects and people-oriented initiatives. Among the key achievements highlighted were the construction of multiple classroom blocks across schools in the ward, including projects at Abubakar Habu Hashidu Primary School, Umaru Maigari Primary School, and Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Hashidu. The projects also featured office spaces, sanitation facilities, and the provision of solar-powered boreholes to enhance access to water. The community also acknowledged the installation of ICT facilities in selected schools aimed at promoting digital learning and equipping students with modern educational tools. Additional interventions included the distribution of exercise books, JAMB PINs to students, and nutritional support for children. Read Also: Gombe Government Disburses ₦726 Million Scholarships to 12,101 Female Students Gombe Beneficiaries Hail Inuwa Yahaya’s Drive for Girl-Child Education Farmers Count Losses as Hippos Destroy 17 Farmlands in Gombe Community Infrastructure and social development projects were also executed during her tenure, including the installation of solar street lights across Tsangaya schools, mosques, and Islamiyya centres, as well as the construction of a concrete well in Wuro Jalo community. Residents further noted the conduct of medical outreach programmes at Hashidu Primary Health Centre and the provision of skills acquisition facilities to support youth empowerment. The statement also commended her role in facilitating appointments and the ongoing renovation of the Hashidu Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) centre, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening foundational learning in the community. They maintained that her legacy of service and commitment to grassroots development would continue to inspire future leaders, reiterating their appreciation for a tenure defined by impact and dedication.

The newly appointed Airport Manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Gombe Station, Malam Sulaiman Marafa, has officially assumed office. Marafa, whose appointment was recently confirmed, is widely regarded as a seasoned aviation professional with a track record of dedication and service. Speaking during a brief handover ceremony at the airport in Gombe, the new Airport Manager commended his predecessor for effectively managing the affairs of the station and maintaining operational standards. He expressed appreciation to the management of FAAN for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to justify the appointment through improved efficiency and service delivery. Read Also: Ganduje, Kuku Lead Nigeria’s Airports Into a New Era “Our vision aligns with the policies and programmes of the Federal Government in the aviation sector. We are determined to work diligently to achieve these objectives,” he stated. Marafa further called on staff of the station to embrace teamwork, discipline, and professionalism, stressing that collective effort remains key to achieving organizational goals. Prior to his appointment, he served at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, where he rose through the ranks to become the International Terminal Manager, a position he held until his elevation to Airport Manager, FAAN Gombe Station.

Farmers in Hinna community, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, are counting their losses after a herd of hippopotamuses invaded and destroyed farmlands in the area on Tuesday night. The affected farmers, who spoke in separate interviews on Thursday, said the animals rampaged through their farms, destroying crops that were mostly due for harvest. They described the incident as a serious threat to their livelihoods and food security in the community. The head of farmers in Hinna community, Zakari Ladan, described the recurring attacks by the animals and the lack of government intervention as frustrating. According to him, more than 17 farmlands covering about 14 hectares were affected, with crops such as maize, rice, tomatoes, pepper, watermelon, sweet melon, carrots, and okra destroyed. Ladan estimated the total value of the losses at nearly N7 million, noting that many of the crops would have been harvested within days. Read Also: Between Discipline and Dissent: Musa Bamaiyi and the Burden of Command FG Set to End HND–Degree Divide, Empowers Polytechnics to Award Degrees Emir Sanusi II Resumes Studies, Attends First Law Lecture in Kano “We are tired of these hippos coming out of the river to invade our farms, some of which are as far as two kilometres away,” he said. “This has become a yearly occurrence, and farmers have continued to suffer without meaningful assistance.” He added that losing 14 hectares of crops in one night highlights the growing population of hippos in the area and their negative impact on food security, calling for urgent intervention from the authorities. A maize farmer, Mohammed Zengina, said he lost over one-and-a-half hectares of maize and other vegetables during the attack, estimating his loss at about N800,000. Zengina said his crops were only weeks away from harvest and appealed to the state government for support, explaining that repeated attacks had made farming increasingly unsustainable. Similarly, a cluster head of rice farmers in the community, Bello Mohammed, said rice farmers had contributed N150,000 monthly to engage hunters to guard their 20-hectare rice farms, but the arrangement failed to prevent the invasion. Other farmers also narrated similar experiences, lamenting the persistent destruction of their farmlands by the animals. Reacting to the incident, the Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, said the state government was aware of the development. He disclosed that officials from the ministry had visited the affected areas to assess the level of damage and would submit a report to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for necessary action. According to Malle, the government would analyse the findings to determine whether compensation would be paid or the matter referred to the State Emergency Management Agency for intervention. He urged the affected farmers to remain patient, assuring them that the government was working to address the situation.

The Gombe State Government has imposed an immediate ban on the scrap metal business, popularly known as Bola Jari, citing serious security risks linked to the trade. The decision was announced on Monday by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Zubair Muhammad Umar, following an expanded meeting of the State Security Council chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. Umar said the council approved the ban after a thorough assessment of security reports indicating a rise in vandalism of public infrastructure and other criminal activities associated with scrap metal trading in the state. According to him, the meeting was convened to review emerging security challenges, during which the council adopted far-reaching security measures aimed at strengthening public safety and enhancing internal security across Gombe State. He noted that the council expressed deep concern over the persistent vandalisation of school facilities and other public assets, many of which were allegedly sold to scrap metal dealers. On the broader national security situation and its implications for the state, the attorney-general said the council resolved to intensify vigilance and surveillance, particularly with respect to individuals relocating into Gombe. Read Also: PAYMISH Co-founder Ties the Knot in Gombe Schools in Gombe Resumes new academic term today Gombe Government Disburses ₦726 Million Scholarships to 12,101 Female Students He explained that all persons seeking to reside or rent accommodation in the state would henceforth be properly profiled, with their personal details documented to strengthen intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to verify residents when necessary. Addressing recurring farmer-herder conflicts, Umar disclosed that the government had constituted an enforcement committee to implement recommendations contained in the White Paper on Grazing Reserves and Cattle Routes. He said the White Paper followed the report of an earlier committee chaired by a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zubairu Muazu, which reviewed the status of grazing reserves and cattle routes across the state. Umar stressed that the measures were designed to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen internal security, and enhance grassroots intelligence gathering. Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Umar Ahmad Chuso, said security agencies had intensified operations following recent incidents of abductions and killings in Pindiga, Akko Local Government Area. Describing the incidents as unfortunate, the police commissioner assured residents that concerted efforts were ongoing to rescue abducted victims, apprehend those responsible, and prevent a recurrence.

The Co-founder and pioneer Executive Director of PAYMISH Tech Limited, Malam Muhammad Umar Maigari, popularly known as Imam, on Saturday, 3rd of January, 2026, wedded Aisha Haruna Mamuda at the Modibbo Bubayero Central Mosque within the Emir’s Palace, Gombe. The wedding ceremony attracted a large gathering of dignitaries, traditional title holders, family members, friends and well wishers from within and outside Gombe State, reflecting the strong standing of the Maigari family. Imam is the son of a seasoned ex- public servant and banker, Alhaji Umaru Maigari Gombe (FNIM), whose years in both the public and finance service had earned him broad respect across the state and the nation at large. Read Also: Gombe Targets Stronger Basic Education as Governor Yahaya Inaugurates Taskforce Gombe Beneficiaries Hail Inuwa Yahaya’s Drive for Girl-Child Education Gombe to Partner with Chinese Firm on Teacher Exchange, Vocational Training As a key figure in Nigeria’s financial technology space, Maigari has played a significant role in advancing integrated payment solutions for businesses and individuals through PAYMISH. The platform supports secure online and offline transactions, digital wallet services, bill payments, and automated payment-splitting features designed to simplify financial operations. The ceremony concluded with prayers for a successful and peaceful marriage, as guests offered goodwill messages and best wishes to the new couple.