Created only fifteen years ago out of old Bauchi State, Gombe State is fast growing in limbs and bounds. Its strategic location in the center of North Eastern geo-graphical hemisphere has made it a political rallying point for North –east politics.

This development has also helped the markets as people from the surrounding states now make trips to Gombe to buy and sell. A point so interesting here is the emerging Computer Village which is made possible by the GSM revolution. Correspondent JOHN BULUS, in this Special report takes a look at what has come to be known as “Gombe Computer Village”, perhaps, the second largest in the country after Lagos.

Like a typical Nigerian market, the square, always booms with unusual crowd of people. Different coloured umbrellas, most of which are adorned with the colours of some leading telecommunication companies in the country dot the area.

More so, a cacophony of musical sounds emanating from different shops within the “community” lends credence that one is within the earshot of what is fast becoming Gombe “Computer Village” in Gombe State. In fact, to some people, it is another Kano in the making in terms of commercial activities.

Strategically located within the heart Gombe metropolis, just at a popular junction nicknamed ‘Cross’, the computer village, indeed, provides all manners of computer and telecommunication services to the people across the North Eastern geo-political zone.

Thus, people from Yola in Adamawa State, Postiskum and Damaturu in Yobe State, Maiduguri in Borno State and then, Bauchi State come to Gombe to shop especially when it has to do with bulk purchasing of mobile phones and repairs. Even phone accessories get appreciable patronage while down-loading of choice music from a computer system has assumed a delightful practice of most people.

One fact believed by many as the reason for high patronage of goods and services sold at the center is the friendly prices of the items. Enquires indicated that Made-in-Hungary and Finland Nokia phones go for as low as N4000 to N25000 depending on the model, series or capacity. Fairly used phones have very incredible, cheap prices that make them a must-buy. Their prices make it possible for the buyer to over-look every conceivable fault or damage the phone has.

Then enter the world of Chinese phones. Chinese phones come in different attractive ways. They also come very cheap and in dual SIM Chambers, elevating the buyer’s ‘status’ of having two or more lines simultaneously when he cannot afford other single SIM phones like blackberry, Samsung, etc. Outside this, many also believe that it eliminates the burdens of clutching two or more phones.

Another benefit buyers say attract them to the phones is also the loudness and clarity of the musical sound of these Chinese phones. For this reason, over 70 percent of the population especially the low class in Gombe and beyond uses Chinese phones ignoring such stories as battery defects, non-durability amongst others associated with them.

Gombe computer village has also provided much relief for many parents including Mr. Zachariah Wana, a civil servant with the state government whose children now find succor and means of livelihood there. In fact, the number of most phone sellers and repairers in the market has an elevation on the ages of 12 and 35.

This, no doubts, has taken away many children from the streets and unwittingly discouraged them from joining the Kalare gang (street urchins/hoodlums) whose activities are extremely violent and deadly.

For instance, a 25 year old and SSCE holder, Mohammed Ishiaku, was, prior to now floating and “wasting” when suddenly an opportunity knocked on his door through a friend some two years ago.

Today, the young blood is on his own repairing handsets with a stockpile of an array of phones on the display in his showcase awaiting buyers.

To this end, he has got what is fast assuming a circle of boys as apprentices around him.

Offering a hand of help to boost their efforts and develop their skill, the three principal mobile phone operators in the country have established their ‘friendship Centers’ in the state. This is not mentioning so many regional offices of both private and public establishments located in the state. Various views are that with this development, one does not need to travel all the way to Lagos to get cell phone and other services.

Further enquires by Saturday Vanguard also revealed that the micro-chips businesses at the area have a handful of other dealers who are neither the indigenes of the State nor of Northern region. The Igbos and indeed, other business conscious persons from across the federation have shops at the market and other strategic locations within the metropolis, gradually but steadily integrating themselves into the culture and language of the people.

This, some analysts say, promotes healthy co-existence, tolerance, peace and stronger ties among the people.

Meanwhile, while this development is being applauded, it becomes pertinent also to recall the developmental strides of the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo who coming on board as governor in May, last year has introduced a broad vista of visible changes, gradually but steadily entrenching massive infrastructures that are changing the face of the town. As a result of this, more roads have been constructed amidst other people-orientated feats that now make a common feature in the state.

But while this euphoria lasts in Gombe, it is the believe of many people that the state government has not shown much concern to many youths in the state who may wish to take their career to an advanced level to fully harness their potentials in the emerging technologically digitalized world .