Gombe
Gombe Govt Supports Fallen Journalists’ Families with N14m After Tragic Road Crash
Gombe Govt Supports Fallen Journalists’ Families with N14m After Tragic Road Crash
The Gombe State Government has disbursed a total of ₦14 million to the families of seven journalists who lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Billiri–Kumo Road.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, as the journalists were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo Local Government Area, throwing the media community and the entire state into mourning.
Under the intervention approved by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, each of the bereaved families received ₦2 million as financial support to help cushion burial costs and other immediate needs arising from the painful loss.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, presided over the disbursement exercise on behalf of the Governor.
He disclosed that shortly after the accident, the state government had released an initial token of support to assist victims who sustained injuries.
Professor Njodi added that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has also taken full responsibility for the medical treatment and hospital bills of the injured journalists currently receiving care.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the SSG reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare of journalists, describing the loss as monumental to both Gombe State and the media profession.
“Our hearts have been restless since this tragic incident. While we cannot bring back the departed or fully compensate for the loss, His Excellency has approved this support to assist with burial expenses, just as the government has taken full responsibility for the medical bills of those who survived,” Professor Njodi said.
He emphasised that the funds were not intended as compensation but as a compassionate gesture to support the families during this difficult and emotional period.
Professor Njodi also conveyed Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the management of the National Television Authority (NTA), and the entire media community, urging all to find solace in the will of Allah.
In his remarks, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, expressed profound appreciation to the Gombe State Government, describing the intervention as swift, compassionate and unprecedented.
He noted that journalists across the country were deeply grateful for the support extended to both the bereaved families and those still undergoing medical treatment.
Comrade Abdullahi further called on the Federal Government to fast-track the implementation of comprehensive life and health insurance schemes for journalists, urging state governments, including Gombe, to align with the policy once it takes effect.
Also speaking, the General Manager of NTA Gombe, Abubakar Adamu, conveyed the appreciation of the Director-General of the NTA, Salihu Dembos, to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his generosity and compassion. He said the entire NTA family nationwide holds the Gombe State Government in high regard for the humane gesture.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Barrister Abubakar Ahmed described the intervention as historic, noting that it was the first of its kind in the state.
“This support of ₦2 million to each family will go a long way in addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of the dependants. We truly lack words to express our gratitude. May Allah reward the Governor and his administration abundantly,” he said.
APC Clears Inuwa Yahaya for Gombe North Senatorial Race
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Friday scaled through the screening process of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Screening Committee, officially clearing the way for his bid to represent Gombe North Senatorial District in the forthcoming elections.
The APC Senatorial Screening Committee, chaired by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, conducted the screening exercise at Plateau House in Abuja.
The exercise featured several sitting governors who sought reelection or contested for senatorial positions on the platform of the ruling APC.
Speaking during the exercise, Professor Yilwatda commended the governors for their contributions to governance and leadership, stressing that the party remained confident in their capacity and track record.
“As a party, we will continue to support all our sitting governors. There is no need to subject you to rigorous screening again, having previously undergone similar processes and served creditably in office,” he said.
The APC chairman further stated that Governor Inuwa Yahaya and other aspirants had met all constitutional and party requirements needed to contest the elections.
“Having satisfied all the necessary requirements, you are hereby requested to take a bow and go,” he added.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s appearance before the screening panel comes amid growing political momentum within the APC following his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate for the Gombe North Senatorial seat.
Political observers believe the governor is entering the contest with significant political influence, administrative experience and a performance record that has strengthened his support base across the senatorial district.
The governor, who has served two terms as governor of Gombe State, is widely credited with infrastructure development, healthcare reform, road construction, and rural development initiatives across the state.
Inuwa Yahaya Defends Gombe Projects, Says Government Focused on Grassroots Development
Committee of Provosts Conference Highlights Reform Agenda Honors Education Leaders
By Auwal Auwal, Gombe
The provost of the Federal College of Education, Gombe, has reiterated the need for strategic reforms in Nigeria’s teacher education system as stakeholders convened for the second Annual Conference of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education.
The conference brought together key policymakers and institutional heads at the National Commission for Colleges of Education headquarters in Abuja to chart a new direction for colleges of education nationwide.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Gombe-based provost aligned with the conference theme, which focused on integrating skill acquisition and entrepreneurship into teacher education.
He emphasized that colleges of education must transition from conventional academic institutions to innovation-driven centers capable of producing self-reliant graduates.
He noted that embedding vocational competencies alongside academic training would significantly enhance graduate employability and position the sub-sector as a catalyst for economic growth.
The conference also featured high-level participation from the Federal Ministry of Education, with the Minister of State, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, describing the reform agenda as a necessary response to evolving labor market demands. She stressed that aligning education with practical skills remains critical to national development.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Angela Ajala, reinforced the Commission’s commitment to policies that promote entrepreneurship within teacher education. She maintained that colleges of education must be repositioned as engines of innovation and productivity.
The Chairman of the Committee of Provosts, Ali Adamu, described the conference as a strategic platform for advancing reforms and strengthening collaboration across institutions.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of a festschrift in honor of former NCCE Executive Secretary Okwelle Paulinus Chijioke, alongside a send-off ceremony recognizing 32 exiting and exited provosts for their contributions to the sector.
For the Provost of the Federal College of Education Gombe, the outcomes of the conference signal a clear shift towards a more responsive and economically relevant teacher education framework, with an emphasis on innovation, skills, and sustainable development.
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