FG disburses N2.25bn to Gombe MSMEs

The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BoI), has disbursed N2.25 billion to support 16,696 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Gombe.

Dr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BoI, confirmed this during a town hall meeting held in Gombe on Friday.

The meeting aimed to sensitise the Gombe business community about the N200 billion Federal Government Loan Scheme for MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises.

Olusi said the Federal Government, through BoI, had disbursed over N107 billion to nearly 900,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

“Out of this, over 16,696 beneficiaries, valued at N2.25 billion, are from Gombe State,” he said.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Maina, North East Regional Manager of BoI, Olusi described the fund as a landmark initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He stated that the initiative aims to empower MSMEs and revitalise Nigeria’s manufacturing sector as part of a broader economic growth strategy.

According to him, the scheme represents a strong investment in Nigeria’s future and a commitment to unlocking the business sector’s potential.

“MSMEs bring life to the local economy. They create jobs, provide livelihoods, and drive innovation across sectors,” Olusi noted.

He added that MSMEs account for 96 per cent of Nigerian businesses, 84 per cent of employment, and nearly half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Olusi said President Bola Tinubu envisions an economy where local industries thrive, meet global standards, and every enterprise is empowered to succeed.

BoI, he said, is working to ensure the scheme becomes a catalyst for jobs, innovation, and prosperity, especially among young entrepreneurs.

He commended Gombe State Government’s support and urged MSME owners, community leaders, and youth groups to champion the intervention.

Mr Abdulwahab Sabo, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Inuwa Yahaya on MSMEs, praised President Tinubu for positively impacting Gombe’s local economy.

Sabo stated that MSMEs remain the backbone of the state’s economy by creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship, especially among women and youths.

He said the Yahaya-led administration is committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and youths while encouraging business growth.

Abbas Abdul, Chairman of the Tea and Bread Association in Gombe, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the financial support.

Abdul, who received N50,000 six months ago, said his business has grown to N300,000, and he now plans to open a mini restaurant.

Adamu Abubakar from Dukku LGA, who engages in fabrication and welding, said the intervention saved him from high commercial bank interest rates.

Abubakar received a N5 million loan at nine per cent interest per annum and now plans to expand and employ more young people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall included a question and answer session on accessing loans and challenges faced by MSMEs.

FG disburses N2.25bn to Gombe MSMEs

Army troops repel attack, nutrialised 10 Bandits including Notorious Kingpin “Shalili” in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 10 armed bandits, including a notorious kingpin identified as “Shalili”, have been neutralised in Zamfara State following a fierce confrontation with villagers and security operatives in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday when about 50 armed bandits stormed Maikwanuga Village via Jangebe District on motorcycles, shooting sporadically.

In response, the troops with local youths and other security personnel mobilised to repel the attackers.

In the ensuing gun battle, 10 bandits, including their leader, were gunned down. However, the District Head of Maikwanuga and one other civilian also lost their lives in the confrontation. Their bodies, along with those of the bandits, were recovered and taken for appropriate documentation and burial.

In a separate development, two individuals were abducted by suspected bandits at about 7:20 p.m. in Abare Village, Anka LGA. The victims were reportedly returning from a ransom payment when they were seized and taken to an unknown destination. The villagers narrowly escaped an earlier attack while heading to Magrib prayers.

Army troops repel attack, nutrialised 10 Bandits including Notorious Kingpin “Shalili” in Zamfara

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

By: Michael Mike

Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.

Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.

The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.

The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.

The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.

The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.

It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.

The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.

The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies