Governance is challenging, but not insurmountable for a visionary leader like Mai Mala Buni. Buni, Yobe State incumbent Governor, assumed office in May 2019.
Then, everyone knows what defined Yobe: high levels of illiteracy, abject poverty among its citizens, dysfunctional public infrastructure, and religious fundamentalism, manifested in the Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) insurgencies. One can go on.
However, under the former scribe of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a new Yobe has emerged. The state is now a reference in terms of development, unity, progress, and economic growth.
What miracle did Buni perform? None.
But by remaining faithful in implementing his lofty campaign pacts and well-articulated governance agenda, Governor Buni has raised the bar of purposeful leadership in Yobe, and perhaps, Nigeria, at large. Basking in the euphoria of his fifth year as Yobe’s Chief Executive, Buni addressed the newsmen at a media briefing on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
“As you are aware, we successfully completed our first tenure on May 28, 2023, and the people of Yobe State have entrusted us with another mandate under which we have continued to make giant strides to make the State greater in line with the yearnings and aspirations of our people,” the proud and fulfilled Yobe governor began.
Security
He would then have something to tell his guests – journalists at the event – about how his administration has tackled insecurity in Yobe.
Said Buni: “As most of us here may recall, when we took over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2019, many communities remained inaccessible due to the threat posed by insurgents in Gujba and Gulani Local Government Areas.
“With our commitment backed by the Federal Government, gallantry of the security operatives, complementary efforts of the vigilante groups, and the persistent prayers of our people, normalcy has returned to the insurgency most-ravaged areas.
Reconstruction, resettlement, and rehabilitation of communities like Buni-yadi have been completed, while that of Malamdunari is being carried out satisfactorily at present.
“In almost all parts of the state, people are now moving about pursuing their legitimate goals without hindrance.”
Governance
On how his administration has been fostering good governance through key reform programs, activities, and policies, Governor Buni has prioritized manpower and human capacity development, together with revenue generation.
His words: “You may agree with me that the present administration has been consolidating on the achievements of successive administrations by making progress in manpower training and intensifying efforts to increase internally generated revenue collection and strengthening the Treasury Single Account.
“The reforms and new approaches adopted enable us to minimize leakages in the execution of government businesses and record landmark achievements in the implementation of policies such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS), and the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP), which have earned us commendations from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the World Bank.
“Similarly, the World Bank awarded us a grant of 5 million dollars due to our reforms, which are in tandem with world-best practices in procurement, the Annual Auditor General’s Report, and other fiscal reforms.
“In our continuous efforts to boost commerce and promote industrialization, we have reactivated the Sahel Aluminum Company, Yobe Flour and Feed Mills Company, and Pre-stressed Concrete Pole Company.
To further boost commercial activities, we constituted the Ease of Doing Business Council under my chairmanship, and investors can now access information on our current business enabling reforms and potentialities of the State through our website http://yapppip.com/resources/.”
Roads Projects and Wealth Creation
In fixing the problems of roads in Yobe, the Buni administration, amid scarce resources at its disposal, has completed the rehabilitation of Katarko-Goniri and Siminti-Godowoli roads, while rehabilitation work is ongoing along Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari, and Yunusari-Kanamma roads.
Hear Mr. Governor: “We are undertaking new intercommunity road construction projects of the Damaturu-Kalallawa 25.5-kilometer dual carriageway for easier access to the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo airport and completed the dualization of Abattoir Junction-New Bye-pass Roundabout along Potiskum road for smooth movement of high traffic.
“We are also constructing Damagum-Gubana, Bulanguwa-Kumagannam, Nguru-Bulanguwa, Danchuwa-Garin Abba-Garin Bingel, Chumbusko-Tagali, Nguru Highway-Karasuwa Galu town, Fika-Maluri, Jaji Maji-Karasuwa town, and Kukuri-Chukuriwa-Dawasa intercommunity roads, among others.
“Similarly, contracts have been awarded for the construction of township roads in Damaturu, Nguru, Potiskum, Gashua, and Geidam, in addition to earlier township roads constructed. In total, over 500km of roads are being executed by the State Government.
These projects, in various stages of completion, aim to open up communities and their adjoining settlements for enhanced socio-economic activities.
“In order to improve the artistic beauty of Damaturu metropolis and give it a facelift, 2 City Gates have been completed, and construction of another 2 is ongoing in Damaturu, alongside construction of township roads and drainage systems in various locations within the State capital and most of the Local Government headquarters.
“In our quest to stimulate economic growth, curb youth restiveness, and empower our people, particularly the youth, we created the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment, and Employment Generation.
“Under this Ministry, we procured and distributed 500 units of mounted vulcanizing machines and accessories, 1900 units of water pumps for irrigation, 500 units of GSM repair kits, 500 units of sewing machines, 150 units of commercial pick-up tricycles, 150 units of tricycles (Keke Napep), 500 units of grinding machines, 620 work bulls, 310 ox-carts, and 310 ox-ploughs, among others.
“These efforts were deliberately geared towards teaching our youth and women how to catch fish so that they can, in turn, become employers of labor.”
Housing and Education
Governor Buni, while speaking further, revealed the magic he performed to restore the glory of Yobe’s education and housing sectors.
He said: “Under our Mass Housing policy, 2,350 houses across the 17 Local Government Areas have been constructed and the estate provided with basic facilities.
“The houses, of 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom types, were offered to civil servants and other members of the public across the state on an owner-occupier basis with a fifty percent discount.
Also, we have been able to establish six new Model Schools, seven Mega Schools, nine new Government Girls Day Senior Secondary Schools, eight new co-education Government Day Senior Secondary Schools. We’ve also added one more for boys across the State.
“Furthermore, we established one IDP School in Buni Yadi. Alongside these, we’ve constructed new classes, laboratories, ICT centers, hostels, and other vital structures.
We’ve also provided teaching and learning materials to primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, creating a conducive learning atmosphere for our students and pupils.
“We’ve recruited over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff, posted to various primary and secondary schools. Additionally, we’ve trained or retrained 26,000 teachers to enhance their capacities.
Through sustained school feeding programs and prompt payment of fees, we’ve achieved a massive increase in school enrollment and education pursuit at all levels.
“We’ve also integrated Tsangaya schools into the system, aiming for a common focus in our teaching and learning process.”
Health, Agriculture and Others
In Buni’s Yobe, quality healthcare provision is no longer a luxury. How was that achieved? “To provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 Electoral wards of the State, we’ve completed and commissioned 140 so far. “We’ve procured and launched 88 customized tricycle ambulances, distributed to remote areas for patient transportation.
The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA) was established, with over 300,000 people enrolled in the scheme, enabling patients to pay only 10% of the total medication cost.
“We’ve also established the Yobe State Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency (YODMA), with drugs worth over N2.3 Billion, addressing the State’s medical supply system needs. We provide free health services to pregnant women, children under five, and accident victims for the first 48 hours, along with free dialysis for kidney patients.
“We collaborate with development partners to combat the spread of diseases. Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Health recognized Yobe as the most improved State in immunization coverage, from 16% to 65%.
“Our tertiary healthcare delivery service was enhanced with the provision of a well-equipped Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital.
“This complex, with a 300-bed capacity and state-of-the-art equipment, including MRI, CT scan, Mammography, X-ray, and Ultra Sound, has made the Teaching Hospital one of the biggest and most equipped hospitals in the Country. “Our aim is to make Yobe State the hub of medical tourism in the country,” Buni confidently stated.
Meanwhile, in partnership with the Chad Basin Development Authority, the State is reviving the Lava Irrigation Scheme in Bursari Local Government. About 200 hectares of land have been developed for dry season cultivation of wheat.
“Additionally, the State, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is collaborating with the World Bank for the takeoff of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES). Government has provided the counterpart contribution for the project, designed to support livestock farmers to boost sheep and goat production, as well as enhance dairy and beef supply”.
Last Line
Under Governor Buni’s leadership, Yobe is undoubtedly on the cusp of significant prosperity, growth, and socio-economic development. His strategic vision and commitment to progress have laid a solid foundation for transforming the state, promising a brighter future for all its residents.
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