Primordial Sentiments Must Not Define Our Unity, Says Gov Buni

Yobe State Governor Hon Mai Mala Buni has appealed to the people to refrain from allowing socio-cultural, religious and political sentiments to define their relationships and the unity of the state.

He stated this at a reception in honour of Barrister Baba Dala Fika, who was conferred with the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank.

According to him, his administration is committed to building a state that guarantees a true sense of belonging to all sons and daughters of the state.

He emphasised, “We will not allow cultural, ethnic, political, social status, and religious differences to define who we are or determine our unity as a people.”

He assured his administration would continue prioritising education to improve human capital and fast-track state development.

He added, ” I wish to reassure the good people of Yobe State that our administration is committed to providing the needed infrastructure, manpower, and payment of examination fees to every child to meet our objective of providing free education to all school-aged children in the state.

“It is heartwarming that the conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria on this illustrious son of the state has come at a time when our administration is investing hugely in the study of professional and specialised courses, including law, as part of the strategy to reinvigorate education in our dear state.

“I am glad to state with a sense of fulfilment that the declaration of a State of Emergency on education in the state has significantly improved the performances of our students in external examinations, preparing them adequately qualified to gain admissions into tertiary institutions, and completing their advanced studies in and outside the country” he noted.

Meanwhile, the state government has supported over 500 law graduates from various universities to pursue professional certificates at the Nigeria Law School in the last four years.

The state government sponsored 221 law graduates this year, with registration fees of N475,000 and a laptop computer each. The state also sponsored candidates for other professional courses, including medical sciences and accountancy.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you may recall that the state government sponsored 233 students from indigent families to study in India. It is with a sense of fulfilment that l inform you that last week, we celebrated the return of 171 fresh graduates in Medicine, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Information Technology, Civil, Mechanical, Agricultural and Petroleum Engineering, among others, who have just completed their studies in reputable Universities in India and graduated with flying colours with 62 others still pursuing their studies in line with the duration and other requirements of their courses.

He said over 38,000 Yobe State students on government sponsorship are pursuing first degrees, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in various universities, Colleges and Polytechnics. Similarly, we have granted scholarships to over 400 students studying in the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United States of America,  Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey, and Russia, among others.

“Let me take this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the good people of Yobe State for supporting our policies and programmes, which have contributed immensely to our administration’s modest achievements.

“I want to specifically appreciate our illustrious sons and daughters who selflessly serve on the Education Trust Fund board. Your prudence in managing the fund to achieve maximum results is commendable. I want to assure you of our support and complete independence to execute your assignment and achieve our goals.