Police confirm suicide case in Gombe school

The Gombe State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the suicide case involving one Abdullahi, who was an erstwhile gateman in Ryan Nursery School in the Tudun Wada area of the state.

Abdullahi had on Monday committed suicide at his school’s premises.

Reacting to the cause of the suicide, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said, “We are aware of the case because we received a report in the early hours of Monday, and our personnel were deployed; they went to also take photographs and moved the body to Specialist hospital where he was certified dead by medical doctors.

“Investigation has commenced after notifying the family of the incidence that occurred they are aware.”

On the allegation that the victim was accused of rape, Abubakar said, “I’m not aware of that of that we didn’t see any note on him leading to such allegation but as I said, the investigation is on, and the cause of the suicide will be revealed.”

Speaking further, he urged residents to desist from committing suicide, saying, “Suicide is not a solution. It only worsens it, though no crime in committing such because the victim would be alive to answer, but an attempt to commit suicide is punishable under the law.

Meanwhile, when our correspondent arrived at the scene, residents lamented the torture such sight must have had on students and some community members before the body was evacuated to the state Specialist hospital.

According to a resident of Tudun Wada, who simply identified himself as Mohammed Sabo, “The emotional state of the students that must have sighted Abdullahi’s body may have effects on them as they may not easily forget it.”

Also, Aishatu Dantiti noted that there were better alternatives to resolving life issues, adding, “Suicide is not one of those options. We must discourage our family members from thinking of suicide, instead, they should be encouraged to face life and the situations.”

CAN suspends chairman in Gombe for congratulating Pantami

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has suspended the chairman of its caretaker committee in Gombe State, Rev. Sunday Congo, over a congratulatory message he sent to the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

Rev. Congo had in the letter, congratulated the minister on his promotion to the rank of Professor in the Department of Cyber Security at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

However, a letter dated September 15, 2021, and signed by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, CAN directed Congo to immediately release all the body’s property to his deputy.

The Christian umbrella body described the cleric’s action as provocative, overzealous and tantamount to a unilateral decision made without authorisation and necessary clearance.

The statement read: “Following the recent publications of your congratulatory message to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, we write to inform you that your action has generated a lot of concerns amongst members of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

This action of yours in publishing and release made on behalf of the association is tantamount to a unilateral decision of you and overzealousness on your part, which was done without authorization and clearance.

“It is not only provocative but undermines the CAN NEC executive. It does not in any way represent their position. In view of the above, you are hereby directed to relinquish your position in Gombe CAN executive with immediate effect and hand over all CAN’s property to your next in line in your bloc.

“In future, you are advised to consult and get approval from the authority of CAN national level so we all may speak with one voice.”

Gombe begs southern states to be ‘brother’s keeper’ in push for VAT collection

Gombe State has made an appeal to southern state governments to reconsider their push to keep Value Added Tax (VAT) generated.

Muhammad Magaji, the state’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Creation, made the appeal at the start of a Technical Workshop on the development of the state’s Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS).

He stated that the other states, particularly those in the country’s south, should set emotions aside and become their brothers’ keepers in sharing the VAT produced in their respective jurisdictions.

The demand came in response to Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Nyesom Wike of Rivers taking moves to begin VAT collection in their respective states.

Magaji contended that, with declining money from the federation account, just three of the country’s 36 states could exist without assistance from the federal government.

The VAT issue will have adverse effects not only on Gombe state but almost all the states of the federation. I was part of the discussion few weeks ago by all commissioners of finance across the country.

“The realisation was that only Lagos, Rivers and probably Delta states would be able to pull through without this VAT being administered centrally, and it is our appeal that we all put sentiments behind and work towards a federation that is one, by being our brothers keepers and ensuring that what is pull together at the center is distributed to be able to balance resources across the country,” Magaji said.

According to him, it would be a very bad development that won’t augur well for the country if every state will ask for control of its resources.

According to him, it would be a very bad development that won’t augur well for the country if every state will ask for control of its resources.

He added, “Don’t forget that the oil producing states collect only 13 per cent derivation, so if you say every state will take whatever resources it has, that it means we are starting a very dangerous trajectory that will not augur well for the federation called Nigeria.”