By Our Correspondent

The Gombe State University (GSU) Alumni Association has inaugurated several strategic committees aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and accelerating institutional development.

Speaking at the colorful inauguration ceremony held at the university, the National President of the association, Dr. Buhari Magaji, popularly known as Masanin Funakaye, said the committee members were carefully selected based on their outstanding contributions in various spheres of human endeavor as proud alumni of the university.

> “These appointments were made after careful consideration. Each member has demonstrated leadership and dedication in their respective fields. We believe their expertise and commitment will add immense value to the vision of the alumni association,” Dr. Magaji stated.

He called on all committee members to work collaboratively for the progress of the alumni body and the university at large, emphasizing that unity, commitment, and strategic action were crucial to achieving their collective goals.

Dr. Magaji also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the entire alumni community for re-electing him for a second tenure as National President.

> “This renewed mandate is not taken lightly. We are ready and determined to move the association forward and support meaningful projects that will benefit Gombe State University and its students,” he said.

During the event, the president unveiled the following committees:

GSU Alumni Permanent Site Committee

GSU Alumni Bulletin Committee

GSU Alumni Assets Management and Maintenance Committee

Alumni Branches and Chapter Management Committee

GSU Alumni ICT Committee

GSU Alumni Media and Publicity Committee

The inauguration drew attendance from several committee chairpersons, including Dr. Benjamin Maina, Dr. Usman Adamu Abubakar, Abdulaziz Sani Labaran, and Muhammad Kabir.

Speaking on behalf of all committee chairmen and members, Dr. Benjamin Maina pledged total commitment to the tasks ahead.

> “We are honored by the trust placed in us. We promise to work as a unified team, driven by a shared passion to achieve the association’s goals and uplift Gombe State University,” he said.

The inauguration marks a new chapter for the GSU Alumni Association, as it seeks to play a more prominent role in institutional development, mentorship, alumni networking, and community engagement.

By Our Correspondent

Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of renowned business magnate and billionnaire philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, who died at the age of 94.

The group in a condolence message signed by Comrade Sagir Wada Mai Iyali, the Kano State chairman of the group, on behalf of all the members, described the death of the Kano-born industrialist as a huge, and irreplaceable national loss.

Iyali said that Dantata was a true nationalist and a philanthropist per excellence who empowered countless Nigerians, inspiring them to greatness.

According to him, his life was lived for humanity and the evidence of that impact lives amongst the people he left behind.

“The fact that every media space is filled with condolence messages for the business icon showed how impactful his life was on earth.”

The chairman urged the youth and leaders from the North and Nigeria to carefully examine the life and times of Dantata towards creating an environment where many would be empowered out of poverty so that Nigeria could be a better place for us all.

“We will immensely miss his business prowess and philanthropic gestures, however we are consoled by the fact that his legacies have help shaped the federation called Nigeria, this is a memory property we would hold dear to our minds,” he said.

By Our Correspondent

The Gombe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been thrown into turmoil following the suspension of its State Chairman, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, over allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and misuse of party resources.

The development was announced during a press briefing held in Gombe and read by the party’s Welfare Secretary, Usman Yahaya Raban Degri, on behalf of concerned members of the state executive. The statement outlined a catalogue of complaints against the embattled chairman, accusing him of sidelining party stakeholders and running the party like a private enterprise.

Allegations of Misconduct and Poor Leadership

The statement stated that since Comrade Modibbo assumed office, the party has experienced no meaningful progress. Instead, the leadership claims he has used his position to witch-hunt loyal stakeholders and frustrate committed party members for his personal gain.

Lack of Transparency

The leadership accused Modibbo of systematically “caging” the party’s executive members and aspirants, depriving over 90% of both returning and newly acting executive members of access to official SDP membership cards. It was further alleged that the selection of party candidates has been done without due process or consultation, with names being announced solely via national platforms involving prominent figures like Malam Nasir El-Rufai, thereby sidelining the state executive.

Lack of Prudence

The statement highlighted that under Modibbo’s leadership, there has been zero transparency regarding the party’s financial affairs. Despite donations and contributions from well-meaning supporters, no reports or updates have been shared with the executive committee or party members. “He operates like a one-man army,” the statement read.

Misappropriation of Party Resources

Another weighty allegation was the chairman’s alleged use of his personal residence as the de facto party office. This, the executives say, violates proper procedures and comes despite funds being made available to renovate the official state party office and rent offices across the local government areas. “As it stands, the SDP in Gombe State does not have a functional or recognized operational office,” the statement added.

Leadership Shake-up

In light of these allegations, the Gombe State chapter of the party has taken decisive action by suspending Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo as Chairman with immediate effect.

The statement announced that the current State Secretary of the party, Mr. Aaron Yakubu, will now serve as the Acting State Chairman of the SDP in Gombe. Similarly, Ambassador Lukman Adamu Elkanem, previously serving as the Acting Assistant Public Relations Officer, has now been appointed as the Acting State Secretary of the party.

Call for National Intervention

The aggrieved party members are appealing to the national leadership of the SDP to intervene in the crisis and restore discipline, accountability, and credible leadership to the Gombe chapter of the party.

> “We seek your indulgence in fixing the SDP in Gombe State with prudent leadership and transparency for the betterment of Gombe people and Nigeria at large,” the statement concluded.

The press conference ended with patriotic affirmations:

> Long live SDP!
Long live Gombe State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Efforts to reach Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo for his response to the allegations and suspension were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.

This latest crisis adds to the growing list of internal disputes threatening the cohesion of political parties in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. All eyes will be on the SDP’s national body as members await its reaction to the unfolding drama in Gombe State.