This profound insight by Drucker perfectly encapsulates the transformative journey Yobe State has experienced over the past five years under the dynamic leadership of governor Mai Mala Buni. Elected with a bold vision and unwavering commitments, the governor has spearheaded an era of progress and prosperity that has redefined the state’s trajectory.
Determined to craft a future of progress, prosperity and economic rejuvenation, Buni has implemented better strategies that have revitalised the economy and enhanced the quality of life of the people. Through comprehensive reforms, strategic investments and relentless pursuit of excellence, the governor has not only envisioned a brighter future but also actively shaped it.
The five-year journey of governor Buni in Yobe State therefore, is a testament to the power of proactive leadership and the limitless potentials that not only shape but create a future for generation yet unborn in the state.
Despite economic wrangling, insecurity, inflation occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, among many other factors, governor Buni has from the 29th May 2019 when he took over as a democratically elected governor to his second tenure which starts on May 29th 2023, made remarkable achievements in the area of security, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, economy and livelihood among others which were all marked by a landmark legislation, innovative reforms and commitments to building a state that thrives on opportunity and equality.
These efforts therefore, is what came to the fore when the governor met a cross section of visiting print and electronic journalists across various reputable media in the country who visited Yobe to see for themselves what the governor’s media team had been showcasing. The journalists, apart from visiting the project sites, parlayed with the governor where he addressed them and entertained a series of questions from them.
Buni, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali begin his address by describing his election into office by the people of the state for the second term as a trust that he cherished and working alongside his team towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the electorates for better Yobe.
The governor while speaking on security said, “As most of us here may recall when we took over the mantle of leadership on 29th May, 2019, there were many communities that remained inaccessible due to the threat posed by the 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 and reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation of communities e.g Buni-yadi have been developed 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.”
Buni stated that as an administration that promised to consolidate on the achievements of successive governments, they were able make progress in manpower training in addition to intensifying efforts to increase internally generated revenue collection and strengthening the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“The reforms and new approaches adopted enable us to minimise 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) has fetched us commendation of the Federal Ministry of Finance and by 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, Annual Auditor General’s Report and other fiscal reforms.”
With the scarce resources at its disposal, the Buni administration was able to complete the rehabilitation of Katarko-Goniri and Siminti-Godowoli roads while rehabilitation work is ongoing along Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari and Yunusari-Kanamma among other many road projects.
“We are undertaking new intercommunity road construction projects of the Damaturu-Kalallawa 25.5-kilometer dual carriage way 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 number of 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 the earlier township roads constructed. In total over 500 km roads are being executed by the State Government. These projects, which are in various stages of completion, are being carried out with a view to opening up the 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 are ongoing in Damaturu and a lot of township roads and drainages are being provided in various locations within the State capital and most of the Local Government headquarters,” Buni stated.
The governor has under his Mass Housing policy, constructed a total of 2,350 houses of 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom types across the 17 Local Government Areas and provided with basic facilities that were allocated to civil servants and other members of the public across the State on an owner-occupier basis with a fifty percent discount.
Education, being one of the sector’s worst-hit during the period of insurgency, has received due support from the Buni administration through construction of many classrooms and rehabilitation of those destroyed by insurgents in addition to the recruitment of teachers as well as provision of teaching and learning materials across the state.
“It could be recalled that the education sector was worst-hit during the period of insurgency as the dogma of the insurgents prohibited western education. Their attacks were seriously on school structures, teachers and students. The killings, maiming, trauma and the structural destruction were too enormous for us to contend with.
“This necessitated us to immediately declare a state of emergency on education. This was followed by convening of the Education Summit, constitution of Committee on Revitalisation of Basic and Secondary Education and later on, Yobe State Education Trust Fund.
“In this regard, 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 and additional one for boys across the State. One IDP School was also established in Buni Yadi.
“All these were in addition to construction of new classes, laboratories, ICT centers, hostels and other vital structures as well as provision of teaching and learning materials to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions of learning for the attainment of conducive learning atmosphere for our students and pupils.
“Over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recruited and posted to various primary and secondary schools, and 26,000 teachers were trained or retrained to enhance their capacities. Through sustained school feeding programmes and prompt payment of counterpart obligation as well as school, tuition and examination fees for our candidates studying nationwide and abroad, we have been able to achieve massive increase in school enrolment and pursuance of education at all levels.
“The Tsangaya schools were also integrated into the system with a view to having all segments of our teaching and learning process on a common focus,” Buni disclosed.
– Yawale is the Head of Information Services, Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture.
In the area of healthcare delivery, Buni was able to construct 140 functional Primary Healthcare Center, 400 bed well-equipped Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, establishment of new Specialists’ Hospitals, new General Hospitals among other many agencies for the attainment of the universal health coverage initiative.
“To achieve our target of providing one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 Electoral wards of the State, so far 140 have been completed and commissioned. We have also procured and launched 88 customized tricycle ambulances and distributed them to the remote areas to ease movement of patients to the health centers.
– Yawale is the Head of Information Services, Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture
“The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA) was established and over 300,000 people including civil servants and other members of the general public have enrolled in the scheme. The scheme enables patients to pay only 10% of the total cost of medication. The Yobe State Drugs and Medical Consumable Management Agency (YODMA) was also established with a total drugs worth over N2.3 Billion to address drugs and medical supply system needs of the State.
“In addition, the State Emergency Medical Ambulance and Yobe State Healthcare and Health-related Facilities Inspection and Monitoring Agency was established to boost healthcare delivery in matters relating to domestic and road traffic accidents and monitoring of health facilities to provide best standard practice.
“The State provides free health services to pregnant women, children under five and for accident victims for the first 48 hours in addition to free dialysis for patients of kidney ailments. We also effectively collaborate with development partners in the implementation of programmes against the spread of polio and child killer diseases, among others. Thus, the Federal Ministry of Health has recognized Yobe as the most improved State in terms of immunization coverage from 16% to 65%,” the governor said.
The Buni administration equally completed and commissioned Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport geared towards providing easy access for the transportation of livestock and other agricultural products both within and outside the country.
A total of 20 new buses to boost inter and intra town and city transportation for the Yobe Transport Corporation were also purchased and put to use while 25 villages were connected to the national grid.
“Similarly, over 100 different types of cars were procured and sold out to people at subsidized rates to encourage local commuting.
“In the area of electrification, 25 villages were electrified while electricity was extended to over 200 different locations. We have also rehabilitated and strengthen Damaturu – Potiskum, Potiskum – Gashua, Gashua – Yunusari, Damaturu – Babbangida – Bayamari, Bayamari – Geidam – Bukarti, Bayamari – Yunusari, Potiskum – Kukar Gadu and Maiduwa-Gadaka 33KVA lines. We have also ensured provision of a 24-hour power supply to all the General Hospitals in the State as well as provision of generator sets to some Government establishments.”
To boost commerce and promote industrialization, the governor has revived four moribund factories while modern markets with hundreds of shops and stalls were constructed in Damaturu, Gashu’a and Nguru while that of Potiskum and Geidam are ongoing satisfactorily.
To further boost agriculture, the Buni administration has in 2019 organised an agricultural summit while the government has within the last five years supplied over 9, 000 metric tons of NPK fertilizer and sold to farmers at a subsidized rate while tractors among other many farm implements were provided to farmers across the state.
“Plans have reached an advanced stage for the launching of a massive agricultural programme in the state soon.”
The governor has also created the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation where hundreds of people were supported through economic and empowerment programmes for economic rejuvenation.
As governor Buni embarks on the next phase of his tenure, he continues to inspire hope and drive change by ensuring that the legacy of the last five years becomes a foundation for a brighter tomorrow in Yobe State.
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