Country Nigeria 3-digit postal code prefix 760 Area 52 km² Number of airports 1 University Gombe State university | Time zone WAT (UTC+1) Climate Aw Local time Thursday 4:36 PM ISO 3166 code Gombe State | |
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Weather 34°C, Wind NE at 11 km/h, 5% Humidity | ||
Gombe is the capital city of Gombe State, north-eastern Nigeria, with an estimated population of 261,536. The city is the headquarters of the Gombe Emirate, a traditional state that covers most of Gombe State. Recent developments include an electrical generation operation forming the basis for the Dadin Kowa water project and the opening of the new Gombe Lawanti International Airport serving Gombe State.
Contents
- Map of Gombe Nigeria
- Population
- Politics
- Transport
- Culture and education
- Economy
- Violence in 2014 and 2015
- References
Map of Gombe, Nigeria
Population
Gombe State is mainly populated by Fulani People constituting more than half of the state population (more than 50%) Other minor ethnic groups include the Hausa, Bolewa, Tera, Tangale, Waja and Kanuri.
The LGA has an area of 52 km² and a population of 268,000 at the 2006 census.
The postal code of the area is 760.
Politics
The current Governor is Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
Transport
Gombe is served by Gombe Lawanti International Airport, and by a station on the eastern mainline of the national railway network and Gombe Line Terminal in mid-city. On Feb. 1, President Goodluck Jonathan announced that the Gombe -Kafancha-Kaduna intercity train services had been "rehabilitated", saying "the inauguration of the train services was crucial to the growth and development of the Gombe and other adjoining states." "Minister of Transport, Idris Umar ... flagged off the Gombe-Kafanchan- Port Harcourt and Gombe- Kafanchan-Kaduna intercity train services."
Culture and education
Gombe is home to Gombe State University, Federal University Kashere, College of Education Billiri and State Polytechnic Bajoga . The modern Pantami Stadium has replaced the older Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium, and is home to the Gombe United F.C.
Economy
In 2008 an agreement was reached "to set up anti-venom manufacturing plant in Kaltungo General Hospital in Gombe," and provide medical training for snakebite patients. The Gombe State government ordered an additional N4 million in anti-venom for the hospital in 2009, due to a local increase in snakebites.
Violence in 2014 and 2015
Gombe has been impacted by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency in Nigeria.
On 22 December 2014, a suicide bombing at a bus station in Gombe killed over 20 people.
On 1 January 2015, a suicide bomber attacked a New Year's Eve service at a Gombe church, injuring several people. On 14 January 2015, a suicide bomber killed two people and left 14 wounded at a Gombe mosque.
On 2 February 2015, just minutes after a campaign rally by Nigerian President Goodluck Johnathan, an attack by a female suicide bomber left one person dead and eighteen injured. Two blasts had occurred in the city the previous day, leaving five people dead. Local residents "have set up checkpoints to defend Gombe" according to the BBC.