Blood Donation Campaign in Gombe Targets 1,000 Pints

By Hajara Usman

The Gombe State Ministry of Health says it has set a target of 1,000 pints of blood from voluntary donors, with 250 pints already collected to help save lives.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, disclosed this during the celebration of the State Blood Donation Day in Gombe on Saturday.

He said the initiative was aimed at saving lives and addressing the persistent shortage of blood in hospitals across the state.

According to him, the donated blood will be distributed to specialist and general hospitals across the 11 Local Government Areas, as well as the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

“Coincidentally, today is Valentine’s Day, and we are celebrating it by showing love through the donation of blood.

“This humanitarian gesture will go a long way in saving lives, especially for patients in emergency situations, pregnant women, accident victims and those undergoing surgery,” Dahiru said.

He noted that access to safe blood remains a challenge for many families, particularly those who cannot afford to pay for a pint due to poverty.

The free donation drive, he explained, is designed to ensure that no life is lost due to the inability to access blood when needed.

Dr Ben Tswabki, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), who attended the event, described the initiative as laudable.

He expressed optimism that deaths resulting from blood shortages could become a thing of the past if such efforts are sustained.

“Some people cannot even afford a pint of blood because of financial constraints. With this donation campaign, many lives will be saved,” he said.

Tswabki also commended the state government and voluntary donors for their commitment.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe, Dr Manassah Jatau, described the day as a special moment to appeal to the spirit of humanity and compassion among citizens.

He called on residents to continue supporting one another through voluntary blood donation, emphasising that saving lives is a collective responsibility.

He expressed deep appreciation to all blood donors, particularly religious organisations, for their strong participation and commitment to the cause.

Jatau stressed that blood stored in the state’s blood bank is not for sale and assured the public that strict monitoring measures would be put in place, including oversight of medical personnel, to ensure transparency and accountability.

He added that the overwhelming response from donors reflects the unity and love that the people of Gombe have for one another, describing it as a powerful demonstration of community spirit and solidarity.

Blood Donation Campaign in Gombe Targets 1,000 Pints

Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

Concrete casters on Gombe State under the auspices of Gombe Concrete Casting Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd has commended Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for providing an environment conducive for their businesses to thrive.

Malam Dahiru Abdullahi, chairman of the association in the state gave the commendation in Gombe on Saturday while inaugurating the distribution of food items and clothing materials to over 3, 250 members of the association for this year’s Ramadan.
Abdullahi said that his members were now able to provide employment for youths because of the good business policies initiated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

He said that Yahaya had supported its members through project awards which he said had created jobs for countless youths in the state while reducing crime rate too.
“Some of our members have been awarded contracts which have made them busy while employing more youths; this has helped in gainfully engaging the youths while distracting them from crime and drug abuse.
“This is why we are commending our Governor for the supports and we are assuring him that we will keep supporting the government to empower more youths with jobs,” he said.
He urged the governor to continue to support his association with more contracts so that more youths could be gainfully engaged.
Abdullahi while speaking on the food items distributed said the gesture was to support its members during this year’s Ramadan and Salah celebration.
Abdullahi who is marking his one year in office as chairman, said the items were to help beneficiaries observe the fasting seamlessly.

Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries who are the vulnerable members of his association needed to be supported following the economic hardship impacting on some of his members.

He said that over 500 small bags of rice, millet would be distributed while some fabrics would be given to members for Sallah celebrations.

He said two concrete mixers and two motorcycles would also be given to assist its members.

He said that the items being distributed were worth N7.1 million.

According to him, he has also within his one year in office supported orphans, housewives, youths and other residents with different items worth N9.65 million.

On his part, Mr Adamu Inuwa Pantami, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Gombe State
who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Malam Mohammed Baba-Adamu, commended Abdullahi for empowering his members while urging other associations to take their cue from what the association is doing.

Pantami said he was happy with the association for its efforts at empowering members which he said was in line with the agenda of Gov Yahaya.

He said that the chairman had been engaging in consultation with critical stakeholders before taking decisions and “that’s why he is getting things right.”

Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

Guterres To VP Shettima: Nigeria Must Lead Africa’s Charge For New Global Order

By: Our Reporter

Backs nation’s UNSC bid, applauds President Tinubu’s reforms, regional security role

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has asked Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Guterres praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions despite facing its own security challenges.

The UN Chief made the remarks on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking during the talks, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism place it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” Guterres said.

The UN Secretary-General and the Vice President discussed key developments in Nigeria, as well as the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.

Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration in advancing global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

In his remarks, Vice President Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in promoting global peace, saying Africa has benefitted immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.

“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across the African continent.

Guterres To VP Shettima: Nigeria Must Lead Africa’s Charge For New Global Order