Governor Buni reeled out his achievements in 2024…spends N15.3 billion on farm implements and inputs for 5,340 farmers across 178 wards.
The Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has reeled out his achievements across the various sectors while also disclosing giverment future plans for the year 2025.
The governor, in his address at a media briefing, expressed gratitude to the private sector and other functionaries for their contributions to the state’s achievements in 2024, noted that despite economic challenges, the state made significant investments in healthcare, education, agriculture, wealth creation, and road construction.
Buni, howver, expressed gratitude to government workers, members of the press, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the state’s progress.
Buni disclosed that “Yobe State won $500,000 in the primary healthcare leadership challenge for states in the North-East sub-region. The state also achieved 100 per cent payment of hazard allowances and adjusted CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales for healthcare workers.
“The state launched the largest agricultural empowerment support program, spending N15.3 billion on farm implements and inputs for 5,340 farmers across 178 wards.
The government also procured 475 modern sewing and embroidery machines, distributed 350 disability tricycles, and provided cash grants to micro and small entrepreneurs.”
On water supply, he revealed that the state awarded contracts for the conversion of 170 motorised boreholes to solar systems and drilled boreholes in major towns while on road construction, the government constructed and rehabilitated hundreds of kilometers of roads, including the Damaturu-Kalallawa dual carriage road and the Gujba-Ngalda road.
Buni assured the people of Yobe State that the government would continue to work towards making life more meaningful for them in 2025 and beyond. He emphasised the importance of strengthening security and improving the overall well-being of citizens.
The Yobe governor assured the residents that his government would continue to work towards making life more meaningful for them in 2025 and beyond, stressing the importance of strengthening security and improving citizens’ overall well-being.
He concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards the development of the state.
In a welcome address, Abdullahi Bego, the Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, expressed appreciation for the governor’s efforts in advancing the state’s causes, including improving living conditions, ensuring the protection of lives and property, and promoting prosperity and well-being.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and culture, I want to express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive, Hon Mai Mala Buni, who is also the Chairman Gujba, ably represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, for sparing the time to address this distinguished gathering of our state’s press and media community.
“This is the first time in as many years that His Excellency himself would avail us the opportunity to address this kind of end-of-year gathering.
“I also want to thank His Excellency for what he continues to do on behalf of the people of the state to advance the causes that his administration always stands for improving the people’s living conditions ensuring the protection of people’s lives and property and putting together the necessary building blocks that would ensure the prosperity and well-being of the people of the state well into the future.”
His Full Speech….
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HONOURABLE MAI MALA BUNI CON, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE DURING 2024 END-OF-YEAR PRESS BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF THE PRESS IN DAMATURU
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State,
Honourable Idi Barde Gubana, (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly,
Right Honourable Chiroma Buba Mashio,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
Members of the State Executive Council,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
The Heads of Security and Paramilitary Agencies,
State Chairman APC,
Special Advisers,
Permanent Secretaries and Other Senior Government Officials,
The Chairmen, Local Government Councils,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaikum.
I am indeed delighted to address you here today for this end-of-year interaction and press briefing. Let me begin by acknowledging and commending the dedication and commitment of members of the press in the State towards keeping the public informed about our effort in various sectors and the work we do every day to improve the people’s living conditions.
2. On behalf of the Yobe State Government, I thank you for your service to our people and to our democratic system of government. As partners in the development of Yobe State, I want to assure you that we will continue to keep you abreast of all our effort in moving the state forward. I also want to assure you that we will continue to provide an enabling environment for the media to exercise their duty of informing, educating and entertaining the citizenry through your editorial activities.
3. As we approach the end of the year and as we look forward to the beginning of a new year, let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the services of all government employees and functionaries. Their work across different ministries, departments and agencies contributed significantly to all the achievements we recorded this year. I am sure we will record even more achievements and make even more progress next year with the hard work and participation of every stakeholder in the development of our state.
4. And as we look back on this outgoing year, I can say that 2024 is and has been a very eventful year for the state. Through robust and prudent management of scarce resources, we were able to turn around the fortunes of our people by making significant investments in healthcare, education, agriculture, wealth and job creation, and road construction, amongst others. We have also continued with the projects we have started earlier and made significant progress towards their completion. Given the prevailing economic challenges across the country, we have also stepped up our effort to reach people at the grassroots with direct cash assistance, including micro, small, and medium business owners and the vulnerable.
5. In the recent Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) empowerment programme we unveiled, a total of 52,997 households and 201, 300 individuals were reached with a total sum of N3, 907, 387, 056 while 456,205 other households with a total of 974, 220 individuals were reached with food and non-food items support. More details about this and other humanitarian interventions conducted through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ministry of Wealth Creation and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will be provided to you by the Honourable Commissioner of Home Affairs and Information.
6. In the area of agriculture and food security, 2024 saw the launching of the largest Agric empowerment support for farmers in the history of our state. Through our agricultural revitalization programme, the sum of N15.3 billion was spent to provide farm implements and inputs to 5,340 farmers across the 178 wards of the state. The state government is also spending N1.7 billion in the procurement of assorted grains for our strategic grains reserve.
7. 2024 is also a significant year for our health and human services sector. As many of you have reported, our effort in the healthcare sector led Yobe State to win 500,000 US dollars in the primary healthcare leadership challenge for states in the North-East sub-region. We have achieved 100% payment of hazard allowances and adjustment of CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales to healthcare workers, recruited 311 new members of staff, including doctors, nurses and other cadres, and ensured the continuation of our free dialysis programme for kidney patients.
8. We have also embarked on the renovation and reconstruction work at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu; we have provided high-quality hospital mattresses and procured anti-bacterial curtain system at Maternal and Child Health Complex, Damaturu.
9. In the area of contributory healthcare, we have continued to provide support to 222 primary healthcare providers through capitation and 24 secondary healthcare facilities through fee-for-service arrangement under the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA). The State Government has also constructed a modern ICT Center to enhance social protection initiatives for the benefit of the people of the state. As of October 2024, YSCHMA has enrolled a total of 275,358 people into the contributory healthcare scheme in the state, reflecting the agency’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage across the state.
10. We have also built an ante-natal and VIP ward at Women and Children Hospital, Damaturu, constructed an Accident and Emergency complex and a one-storey building doctors’ quarters at State Specialist Hospital, Buni-Yadi, procured and distributed various state-of-the-art medical equipment across different healthcare facilities in the state and kept the momentum on the ongoing research on chronic kidney disease affecting some local government areas of the state. We have also procured an important software for our MRI Machine at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), Damaturu – the PV VAR ASSAT Software.
11. In the area of wealth creation, empowerment and employment generation, a lot was also achieved. These include the procurement of 475 modern sewing and embroidery machines, procurement and distribution of 350 disability tricycles, procurement of 712 nos of cows and bulls to livestock farmers, provision of cash grant of N50, 000 to 3,560 micro and small entrepreneurs across 178 wards of the state, provision of cash support of N20,000 to 4800 unemployed youths, training of 85 youths on shoe making and provision of start-up kits, distribution of 500 units of deep freezers to women in ice-making business, procurement of 1,780 smoking stoves; 1,780 frying pans; 1,780 frying spoons; 1,780 sieving basins and 1,780 bowls; procurement of 100 units of motorcycles and 80 units of pick-up tricycles for distribution to beneficiaries, and the procurement and distribution of 340 work bulls, 170 ox-drawn carts and 170 ox-drawn ploughs, amongst others.
12. In the area of water supply, the state government has awarded contract for the conversion of 170 motorized boreholes at the ratio of 10 per Local Government to solar system in order to ensure steady water supply to our teeming populace in the State. Others are the drilling of a complete package borehole at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH) Damaturu, Shagari Low-Cost, Yobe State Women and Children Hospital and the GRA area in Damaturu, rehabilitated the Dumar-Gumsi Water Project Broken Down Boreholes, continued with the construction of the Buni-Gari Water Treatment Plant, continued with the servicing and maintenance of 351 boreholes across major towns in the state, and drilled replacement boreholes in many estates across Damaturu metropolis.
13. Through the Ministry of Works, our administration has continued with the construction of hundreds of kilometers of roads across the state. These include the ongoing construction of 25.5km Gashu’a-Masaba road, 30km Balanguwa-Kumaganam road, 22.5km Fika-Maluri road, 18km Bukarti-Toshia Road, 13km Jajimaji-Karasuwa road, 16.5km Kukuri-Chukuriwa road, 16km Nguru-Balanguwa road, 16km Damaturu-Gambir road, ongoing completion work of the Damaturu-Kalallawa dual carriage road, and the construction of 16.5km Kukuri-Chukuriwa-Dawasa road.
Our administration has also completed the 18km Danchuwa-Garin Bingel road, 32km Danchuwa-Jajere road, 15km Damagum-Gubana road, and the 10km Chumbusko-Tagali road. The Damaturu City-Gates project has also been completed.
There is also the ongoing construction of 7km road and 14km concrete line drain within Damaturu metropolis and the construction of the 76km Gujba-Ngalda road.
Many township roads and drainages were completed in Nguru, Gashu’a, Geidam and Potiskum towns.
Through the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency, many roads across the state have also been rehabilitated.
These include the ongoing rehabilitation of 45km Yunusari-Kanamma road, 52km Katarko-Goniri road, 18km Bukarti-Toshia Road, 45km Bayamari-Yunusari road, and 45km Yunusari-Kalgi-Yusufari Road. Also rehabilitated are the Bayamari-Balle, Kelluri-Geidam, Yunusari-Dilala, Ngiburwa-Goniri, Gujba-Buni-Yadi and Kotoko-Meleti roads.
14. We have also recorded significant milestones in the areas of transport and energy and rural electrification. In summary, our administration has ensured the supply, installation and conversion of 426 units of double-arm solar street lights along Potiskum and Gujba roads, Damaturu, installed 2,016 units of single-arm and double-arm solar street lights in Gashu’a, Nguru, Geidam, Potiskum and Buni-Yadi towns, procured and installed six 10KVA hybrid generators in eight upgraded General Hospitals in Buni-Yadi, Jaji-Maji, Yunusari, Bara, Yusufari, Machina, Nguru, and Babbangida towns, rehabilitated 180 units of single-arm solar street lights at Don-Etiebet Housing Estate, Damaturu, rehabilitated 194 units of double-arm solar street lights at Muhammadu Idriss Way, Potiskum, procured additional 250 units of single-arm (all-in-one) solar street lights at Buni-Gari, Buni Yadi and Potiskum towns, and added 20 buses to the fleet of the State Transport Company, the Yobe Line. Fittings and accessories were also procured for 1,770 units of integrated solar lights.
15. In our rural electrification drive, a lot was achieved that cannot be recounted here. I am sure the Honourable Commissioner of Information will provide all the details to you. Suffice it to say, however, that the electrification of Bumsa, Kukuwa Tasha, Abujan Amare, Sollare, Shadan, Bololo, and communities behind Emir’s Palace Potiskum was undertaken by the administration during the year.
16. Also, the extension of 33KV Line, Town Distribution Network (TDN) and installation of transformer at Lantaiwa town, rehabilitation of 33KV Line and upgrading of town distribution network at Garin Gamji in Fika LGA, restoration of power to Yusufari town through rehabilitation of 2.5MVA, 3nos 300KVA sub-station and 33KV Line, reactivation and strengthening of 33KV line from Geidam to Bukarti town, extension of electricity to Rigar Fulani in Potiskum LGA, Pompomari Bayan Kwalta communities in Damaturu LGA, Ligdir, Kwalkwala, Bulabulin Fulori and Goningomari towns in Gujba LGA, Ngabrawa Ward in Machina LGA, Bujahun, Kukuwa Tasha (Phase 2) in Gulani LGA, Fulatari Dapchi in Bursari LGA, and Fadawa town in Fika LGA were all undertaken during the year. We have also provided replacement of 500KVA sub-stations and extension of TDN at Tandari Ward, Potiskum LGA and Bindigari Ward in Damaturu LGA, amongst others.
17. Our administration is also building new markets in Yunusari and Ngalda towns, the construction of the Potiskum and Geidam Modern Markets have both reached 75% and 70% respectively. The Potiskum Truck and Transit Park is at 85% completion stage while the Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall is at 45% state of completion. We have also built modern sesame seeds processing factories in Machina and Nguru towns. Additional ones being built in Potiskum and Damaturu are both currently at 80% stage of completion.
18. Our Universal, Basic and Secondary Education Sector witnessed significant transformations during the year, with the renovation and improvement of infrastructure and services as well as the recruitment and deployment of teachers. For example, a total of 14, 487 units of two-seater pupils’ furniture were procured and distributed to schools across the state. A total of 2530 teachers were trained while 563 teachers were deployed from the Teaching Service Board (TSB). Students’ feeding gulfed around N2 billion while N1,919,315,160.00 was spent on tuition and examinations, including WAEC and NECO.
In addition, 90 junior secondary schools were established from the deboarding programme embarked upon by the state government. Also, 245 admissions were secured for JSS III students in Federal Science and Technical Colleges across the country.
At GSTC Damagum, 16 hostel blocks renovated while 18 hostel blocks were renovated at GGSS Ngelzarma. Five new hostel blocks were built at GCC Damaturu; one ICT Hall and one multi-purpose hall were built at GGSS Ngelzarma; while eight three-classroom blocks were renovated at GSS Damaturu. Seven AUGUR Hand Pumps were drilled across schools in the state.
In the area of Higher Education, classroom blocks, administrative block and conference hall at were renovated at College of Education and Legal Studies, Nguru while one administrative block was built at Mai Idriss Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam. A three-day capacity building training was also arranged and conducted for principal officers of tertiary institutions. The physiotherapy programme at the Yobe State University was accredited while nine programmes got accreditation at the Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashu’a. These are just a tip of the iceberg in the order of things we did in our education sector during the year.
19. In the area of environmental protection and management, our administration provided solar powered cooking stoves and hybrid solar charcoal stoves, raised and purchased seedlings for distribution to the public and maintained quarterly evacuation of refuse in Potiskum, Nguru, Gashu’a, Geidam and Damaturu towns. We have also embarked on erosion control through the construction of retain wall and stone pitching at Hayin Gada in Potiskum. We have also built six early warning stations (weather stations) in Machina, Bursari, Damaturu, Yunusari, Jakusko, and Fika towns. The ministry of environment has also engaged in the re-demarcation of five Forest Reserves for increased vegetation cover and reclaiming of lost forest.
20. Members of the press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in addition to all the areas I have enumerated, our administration continues to make every measure necessary to strengthen and improve the security of life and property of people across the state by supporting and partnering with the security agencies. I want to use this opportunity to commend the services of the Nigerian army, police, civil defense and all other security agencies and our own local vigilante groups for the work they do to keep us safe. I want to urge them to continue the effort every step of the way.
21. I want to conclude by assuring the good people of Yobe State that in 2025 and through the reminder of our term in office, we will not relent in our effort to make life more meaningful for the people. We will do whatever it takes to continue to move Yobe State forward Insha Allah.
Thank you.
