Gombe Governor Suspends Acting DPP, Orders Probe Over Misconduct Allegations

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has approved the suspension of the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the state Ministry of Justice, Abubakar Jungudo, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct levelled against him.

The governor also constituted a high-level investigative panel to examine the complaints against the senior legal officer.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, and made available to journalists.

According to the statement, the approval was conveyed by the Head of Civil Service, Professor Mu’azu Shehu, who said Governor Inuwa Yahaya acted after carefully reviewing the nature and seriousness of the allegations contained in the petition against the Acting DPP.

Professor Shehu explained that the suspension takes immediate effect and is intended to ensure an impartial and unhindered investigation in line with established civil service procedures and the principles of due process.

“The Governor, having carefully considered the nature and gravity of the allegations, directed the immediate suspension of the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement said.

He added that the action reflects the administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency and fairness in the conduct of public affairs.

To lead the investigation, the governor appointed Hon. Justice Haruna Habila Kereng of the Gombe State High Court as chairman of the panel.

Other members include a director from the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Gombe, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Service Matters in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, will serve as secretary of the panel.

The committee has been directed to commence work immediately, investigate all the allegations, examine relevant evidence, and submit its findings and recommendations to Governor Inuwa Yahaya through the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

Gombe Eyes Livestock-Led Economic Growth as Inuwa Yahaya Meets Minister

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has intensified efforts to position the state as a leading livestock investment destination after holding talks with the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, on strengthening collaboration to drive reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The meeting, held in Abuja, focused on deepening cooperation between Gombe and the Federal Government to attract investment, strengthen livestock value chains and fast-track projects aimed at transforming the sector into a major contributor to economic growth and job creation.

The Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, Ismaila, Uba, Misilli, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

The engagement comes as Gombe continues to align its development strategy with the Federal Government’s livestock reform agenda following the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Inuwa Yahaya said his administration remained committed to leveraging partnerships with the Federal Government, development partners and private investors to unlock the economic potential of the livestock industry.

“Gombe State is ready to continue working closely with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, development partners and private investors to deliver sustainable, investment-driven solutions that will strengthen the livestock economy, create wealth and expand opportunities for our citizens,” the governor said.

He described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a landmark reform with the potential to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry, boost exports and diversify the country’s economy.

“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the Federal Government’s most strategic economic reforms. It has the potential to reposition Nigeria as a major player in the global livestock industry,” he said.

To complement the Federal Government’s initiative, the Gombe State Government recently established the Ministry of Livestock Development to provide policy direction, coordinate programmes and facilitate investment in the sector.

A key component of the state’s strategy is the development of an 184-hectare Livestock and Agro-Industrial Hub under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

According to the state government, the hub will feature an ultra-modern abattoir with the capacity to process 500 cattle, more than 2,000 sheep and goats, and over 10,000 poultry birds daily. It will also accommodate an International Livestock Market, an International Grains and Animal Feed Market, a Modern Timber Market and an Inland Dry Port to improve agricultural trade and logistics.

Other planned facilities include a modern poultry production hub, a veterinary hospital, a leather processing and manufacturing complex, and a waste-to-energy and organic fertiliser plant, as well as supporting infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply.

The government said the integrated project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract local and foreign investment, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the livestock value chain across the state and beyond.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya was accompanied to the meeting by the Gombe State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Sa’idu Baba Alkali.

The Federal Government created the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 as part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry, improve productivity and encourage investment in animal production, processing and exports. Gombe is among the states seeking to leverage the reforms to expand agribusiness, stimulate industrialisation and diversify its economy beyond traditional revenue sources.

AC4D, Gombe Revenue Service Mobilise Stakeholders on New Tax Law, Push for Voluntary Tax Compliance

By Auwal Ahmad

The Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), in collaboration with the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), has organised a citizens’ sensitisation meeting to educate stakeholders on the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026 and promote voluntary tax compliance across the state.

The workshop, themed “Citizens’ Commitment Towards Tax Compliance,” brought together representatives of government institutions, the business community, professional associations, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions and taxpayers to discuss the benefits of the new tax law and its role in driving sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), Aisha Adamu, urged residents and businesses to embrace voluntary tax compliance, describing taxation as the bedrock of sustainable development and improved public service delivery.

She said the sensitisation programme was designed to deepen public understanding of taxation while encouraging citizens to fulfil their tax obligations willingly.

Aisha Adamu welcomed participants from various sectors, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to building a tax-compliant society capable of supporting government efforts to improve the lives of the people.

According to her, taxes remain the lifeblood of government, providing the financial resources needed to deliver essential infrastructure and services, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, security, water supply and other critical public amenities.

“Tax compliance is not merely a legal obligation; it is a civic responsibility and a demonstration of patriotism. When citizens pay their taxes voluntarily, government is better positioned to deliver development and improve the welfare of the people,” she said.

The GIRS chairman noted that the agency had continued to implement taxpayer-friendly reforms aimed at simplifying tax administration, improving service delivery and expanding public enlightenment in line with ongoing national tax reforms.

She explained that the workshop was also intended to strengthen dialogue between government and taxpayers by providing a platform for exchanging ideas on practical ways to improve compliance and enhance revenue generation for the state’s development.

Aisha Adamu encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, ask questions and take advantage of the expertise of the resource persons, expressing confidence that the engagement would deepen public appreciation of taxation and inspire greater commitment to voluntary compliance.

She thanked stakeholders for honouring the invitation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, fair and efficient tax administration system.

Declaring the workshop open, Aisha Adamu called for sustained collaboration among government, businesses and citizens to build a stronger tax culture capable of accelerating Gombe State’s socio-economic development.

Earlier, the Team Lead of the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, said the sensitisation programme was organised to bridge the information gap between government and citizens by ensuring that people clearly understood the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026.

He said public awareness was essential to the success of any tax reform, stressing that informed citizens were more likely to comply voluntarily with tax obligations and support government efforts to improve accountability and transparency.

According to him, taxation remains a critical source of revenue for financing development projects and essential public services, making it imperative for citizens to understand how the tax system works and the benefits it offers society.

Ambassador Yusuf urged participants to take the knowledge acquired during the workshop back to their communities, noting that continuous public engagement would help dispel misconceptions about taxation, strengthen trust between government and citizens, and improve compliance.

He also commended the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service for partnering with civil society organisations to expand tax education, describing the collaboration as a significant step towards building an inclusive, transparent and sustainable tax system in the state.

Participants engaged resource persons in interactive discussions on key provisions of the New Tax Law 2026, taxpayers’ rights and responsibilities, available tax reliefs and compliance procedures, while GIRS officials responded to questions and clarified concerns raised during the session.

The organisers expressed optimism that sustained public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement would enhance voluntary tax compliance, boost internally generated revenue and support the continued socio-economic development of Gombe State.