Buni Yadi residents jubilate as Gov. Buni flags off construction of township road

Gov. Buni unveiling the plague for the flag off the Buni township roads

Once occupied by Boko Haram insurgents, life in Buni Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba Local Government has since picked up with the restoration of social amenities in the town.

Apart from the rebuilding of the General Hospital, the Local Government Secretariat, the Police Station, boreholes, schools etc that were hirtherto destroyed by the insurgents, the State Government today flagged off the construction of township roads and drainages  at the headqaurters to facilitate easy movement of people within the town.

The road construction which will stretch up to four kilometers was lunched by His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni


The roads which  has  an eight-kilometre long drainage line will be built through direct labour by the Ministry of Works and Transport at the total cost of N673, 455, 140.00.

Gov. Buni in his speech at the flagging off ceremony, said  the township road project is a fulfillment of one of the promises that he made during the electioneering campaign and at his inauguration.

“I have made policy statements that I would consolidate on the execution of road projects to open up more communities…and build rural feeder roads to ease the movement of agricultural produce, livestock and other services to enhance socio-economic development”, he said.

He urged the people  to cooperate with the construction team from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Energy and to “claim the ownership of the project from inception to completion and to the maintenance of the drainages”.

The governor also disclosed  that the next set  of township roads will be built in Babbangida and Damagum towns, headquarters of Tarmuwa and Fune local governments respectively.

Gov. Buni inspecting the road construction in Buni Yadi  after the flag off

“We also intend to execute some other road projects in phases within the limits of resources at the disposal of the government”, he said.

Governor Buni has also visited the Buni-Yadi General Hospital where reconstruction work was started by the Victim Support Fund (VSF) but stopped before completion.

The governor directed the acting Secretary to the State Government Baba Mallam Wali to ensure that all processes needed for the complete renovation of the hospital are started.

“As peace steadily returns to this area and people return to their communities, it is very vital they have good healthcare services and other basic social services. I learnt that the VSF has started work but we don’t know why the work stopped. I therefore direct the SSG to ensure that all the processes and contacts are done and the hospital is renovated without any delays”, the governor said.

ImpactOnlineNigeria observed that Buni Yadi is one of the towns that was taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents in late 2013 but was reclaimed by the Nigeria Army in late 2014.

The flag off was witnessed by wide jubilations from the residents as the trooped out in droves to welcome their son.

The Chairman Gujba Local Government Alhaji Kyari Batrama thanked the governor for the project and called for more security for the Local Government Area.

Share:

Read More

Yobe retirees continue to smile as Gov. Buni Approves N365 Million for another batch of LG Retirees

Gov. Buni

     

Another batch of retirees from Local Government AreaS  across  Yobe State will  in a few days begin the collection of their entitlement as Gov. Buni has approved the sum of 365,586,246.45 for the payment of their retirement benefits.

According to a statement released by the Director General of Press Affairs to Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Abullahi Bego, the retirees comprised of  about 279 retirees out of which, about  71 are deceased and their payment will be done through the probate division of the State High Court while the remaining will be electronically paid. 

the statement also reiterated the commitment of the State Government in the payment of gratuities and retirement benefits of pensioners in the state, stressing that, it will be a continuous process.

 The statement reads in full:

 

"In his determination to continue to cater to the welfare of workers, H.E Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the sum of N365, 586, 246.45 for the payment of accumulated pension arrears and gratuities of 279 local government retirees.

"This is batch 36 in the long list of benefit payments to retired local government workers.

"Of the 279 beneficiaries, 71 are deceased and their benefits, amounting to N110, 830, 156.75, will be handed over  to their next of kins through the probate division of the State High Court, while the sum of N254, 756, 089.70 will be electronically paid directly to the remaining 208 living retirees.

"Some may recall that on July 4^th, 2019, Governor Buni had approved the sum of N228, 914, 250.19 for the payment of the benefits of another batch of l98 local government retirees.

"Payment of benefits of local government retirees will remain a continuous exercise as the Verification and Payments Committee under the Auditor-General for Local Governments continues with its assignment," the statement said.

Share:

Read More

Ministerial portfolio: 'Fashola, Aliyu a perfect team'

Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, recieving Babatude Fashola in Damaturu when he was the deputy governor of Yobe State

Former Head of the Civil Service in Yobe State Ibrahim Abdulrahman mni has described the choice of Engineer Abubakar  Aliyu and Babatunde Raji Fashola in the Ministry of Works and Housing as a perfect team for the transformation of infrastructure in the country.

Alhaji Abdulrahman  noted that  he has known Engineer Aliyu’s competence way back in 1999 when he served under him as a supervising Engineer in the Ministry of Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State when he was the permanent secretary of the ministry.

 According to him, Engr. Aliyu  proved not just to be   “a competent but a dedicated engineer who is always punctual,  and proactive to any assignment giving to him”.

 He said; “When I  set out to get a competent engineer, we had two candidates. One had HND, The current minister of State, Works & Housing had HND plus degree in Civil Engineering. We conducted an interview and from the look of things, he proved to be a more competent and more perceptive of what the government wish to do at the local level.

 “After the ministry took off, we made request to the government base on his own assessment which we sent him to the rural communities and those assessment were correct because there was no time that we went back to review his assessment. The costing was so clearly done by him. When we started construction, contracts of each construction site were giving a time limit. For instance, from A-B should be finished in three week or so. He proved not only to meet the date lines but actually completed the jobs before date lines.

 “First, his material assessment was correct, secondly, he was a competent engineer, thirdly, he never relents and make sure he reaches his objectives clear. As time progressed, government was aware of the impact we made in the communities.

"We actually had no problems of funding because Bukar Abba graciously approved every fund that we made request and the Abubakar D. Aliyu did all the work with dedication and precision with all his staff and by the time we completed the project, we invited journalists to look at what we did and make their own assessment. That was the first impact of the Bukar Abba Ibrahim administration and everyone was talking about his government that he is transforming Yobe State rural communities”, Abdulraman explained.

 Speaking on his choice by the president to the ministry of works and Housing, the former Yobe State Civil Service boss said; “Not only has President  Buhari made  the right choice, the president  has got the right man in Engineer Aliyu. He is always punctual, he insists on completing any job giving to him before completion. He is always proactive in all his assignment and I am sure him and Fashola will make a perfect team because I know that Fashola is also a very serious minded person. I am sure they will work as a team. If they sure do that which I believe, I am sure its going to be a wonderful achievement by the time their tenure expires in 2023 and the president will be proud of his choice of appointing this gentleman as minister.

 ImpactOnlineNigeria  reports that Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, the immediate past deputy Governor of Yobe State was yesterday deployed to the Ministry of Works and Housing as the State Minister having been appointed by the president and screened by the National Assembly as required by the law.

Share:

Read More

Pray for me to succeed, shun character assassination - Engr. Aliyu charges supporters

The Minister of State Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, addressing supporter at his Maitama residence after arriving from his inauguration as minister.

The newly inaugurated Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar Aliyu has called on his supporters to pray for him to succeed in his new office as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The minister who was addressing a multitude of supporters at his Maitama residence shortly after his inauguration also call for unity and challenged bad characters within his supporters to shun character assassination and accept people weaknesses and strength.

Engr. Aliyu also used the occasion to pledge his commitment to his new job, while expressing gratitude to his boss, the immediate past Governor Ibrahim Gaidam who he served under as the deputy governor for ten years.

According to him, his appointment as minister of the federal republic of Nigeria is yet another by God to him for service to his fatherland and humanity.

"I thought I was going to rest and think of the next thing I will do with my life after serving as the deputy governor for ten years. While i was contemplating that, i never knew that God has His own plans for me.

"I have been yet call for service. This call is a service to my fatherland and also to humanity and  I promise not to take it for granted. I will also not disappoint Yobe state as her ambassador at the federal executive council. My commitment to what i do will never change. This is what I know how to do. I thank the president, Mohammadu Buhari for giving my this great opportunity. I am also greatful to my boss, Ibrahim Gaidam, my time of service with him was a great impact for me. I thank Gov. Mai Mala and the Senate president, Dr. Ahmed Lawan for all their support.

"To all of you my supporters here and beyond, I calling for prayers from you to help me succeed in my new assignment as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Speaking on belaf of his supporters, former minister of state Foreign Affairs, Jibril Maigari said the people of Yobe will continue to pray for the minister to succeed in his new assignment.

he also call on all to support Engr. Aliyu in his new assignment while also emphasizing the unity of the people and the state at large.

While expressing confodence in the new minster in the discharge of his duties, Alhaji Jibril Maigari said, Yobe will have no doubt in the performance of Engr. Aliyu.

Meanwhile, the Maitama residence of Engineer Aliyu became a Mecca of sort besieged with family, friends, well-wisher, including people with disability who traveled from Damaturu to Abuja  to felicitate with the ministers on his inauguration.

Dignitaries at the house include, the one  deputy governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Salleh Bagare, former Head of Service of Yobe State, Ibrahim Abdulrahman, serving, expired   member of the National Assembly, Lawan Shettima Ali, Zanna Zachariya, Ismaila Gadaka,  Ibrahim Umar,

Deputy Speaker, Awaulu Isa Bello, Hon. Sirajo Wakil, and other members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,  the Waziri of Potiskum, Ali Guza, the NorthEast Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Saliu among others.

Share:

Read More

World Humanitarian day: actors seek release of women in captivity, call for more women protection

Humanitarian workers in Yobe State in a group photograph in Damaturu

Humanitarian actors working in Yobe State have called for the release of their colleagues abducted by Boko Haram especially the female ones.

Speaking on the 2019 Wolrd Humanitarian day in Damaturu, some of the actors requested for government and their organizations to bring up policies that will strengthen the existing ones in the area of their personal protection and security.

 The Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje who led an awareness and solidarity work for in Damaturu to mark the date demanded the releases of abducted aid workers, just as he called for prayers for the repose of the souls of the souls of those that have been inhumanly executed.

Dr. Goje called for a more robust synergy among the actors and the state government, while stressing commitment of Gov. Mai Mala Buni in meeting the needs of the displaced people by the recent flood in the state.

He disclosed that the Governor has without delay responded by providing relief to the communities affected by the flood across the ten local government areas of the state where about 3000 people have been displaced.

In an interaction with journalists, one of the Aid workers, Janet Ajala of International Red Cross IRC called on more government action on the protection of aid workers especially females.

Some of the humanitarian aid workers in a photo with a disabled boy in Damaturu

We feel more determined to do our work, despite the plight of some of our colleagues, some of whom have been abducted. I call on government to do more in the protection of the aid workers especially the female ones who are more vulnerable to conflicts,” Janet appealed.

The agencies condemned in strong terms the kidnaps and killings of humanitarian workers in the Northeast by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Representative of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) , Yobe state, Daniel Buba Soro, commended the cooperation and support giving to humanitarian actors by  Yobe State government to execute their activities without hindrances.

This years theme: ‘Women Humanitarians’ is aimed at celebrating the unsung women humanitarians working in the frontlines to give dignity to people affected in crisis and conflicts and to also remember those that have lost their lives in the process.

Share:

Read More

Gov. Buni lunches strategic empowerment for people with disability, to send 20 undergraduates on oversea scholarship

Gov. Mai Mala Buni

In complaince  with inclusivity in governance, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has ordered the inclusion of 20 students of physically challenged status to be included in the on going    scholarship scheme to indigent Yobe State Students.

The orders of the governor is contained in a statement signed by the Northeast Zonal Special Leader of All Progressive Congress(APC) Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa who is also a member of the Yobe State Technical Committee on the revitalization of Education in the State..

The statement which described Gov. Mai Mala Buni as the 'Mater of Inclusion the scholarship will only cater for the physically challenged students who passed their WAEC with five credits including English and Mathematics who will be heading to a Turkish university for their studies after the selection process.

The Statement however announced that students with students who are visually impaired and the one with hearing impairment will not be considered for this time but called on them to be patient as they would be considered in the next batch.

Comrade Isa also expressed gratitude on behalf of his people to the governor for giving them the opportunity, while calling on other states to emulate from Gov. Mai Mala Buni.

The Statement reads in full:

 "This is to inform the members of National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD) Yobe state chapter, that His Excellency the must disability friendly Governor, Governor Mai Mala Buni the executive governor of Yobe State has approved the selection of twenty (20) Persons with physical disability across all local government of the state who passed with 5 credit including Maths and English in their O'level for immediate consideration for traveling to Turkey for their university studies under Yobe State Undergraduate Scholarship Program.

"While we commend his Excellency's gesture for this wonderful opportunity we also want to use this opportunity to inform other disability clusters visually impaired, Hearing impaired and others that, the selection would be done in batches as such subsequently other clusters would be considered.

"Conclusively, while this remains first of its kind in the State and the entire country we encourage other state to learn from the good gesture of master of inclusion himself.

"We remain grateful and May Allah SWA guide you in achieving your good vision to the people of Yobe State Amen".

 Analyst observed that the governor's initiative  to give such an opportunity to people with disability is one strategic  investment that would have a long term effect on the empowerment of people with special needs in the society.

Share:

Read More

DEVELOPING STORY: Sadiya, woman with swollen abdomen stabilized in Potiskum Hospital, moves to Gombe for proper medical attention

Sadiya being stabilized at Potiskum General Hospital

At Potiskum Hospital

Cheering news have emerged that Sadiya Mohammed who had a swollen abdomen has now been stabilized and moved to Federal Medical Centre Gombe, in Gombe State for treatment.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Sadiya may be suffering from a heart related ailment.

However, the proper diagnosis is expected to be carried out at the Federal Medical Centre in Gombe where she would be attended to by cardiologist specialists.

At the Potiskum General Hospital, more that seven  pants of fluid substance were drained from her stomach which made her condition to become stable.

Sadiya who was gasping for breath on Wednesday and could barely talk sounded very stable when she spoke with our correspondent on phone last night from General Hospital Potiskum where her condition was being controled.

 ImpactOnlineNigeria can authoritatively confirmed that Sadiya has today arrived Gombe Federal Medical Centre where her treatment will continue.

One of the seven  pants of fluid drained from her abdomen

It was gathered that she was immediately taken to the emergency ward of the hospital where she was examined and moved to the ward where she is currently receiving treatment.

The sponsor of the medical bills Alhaji Umar Ali has also confirmed to ImpactOnlineNigeria that Sadiya is now in the hands of experts at the Federal Medical Centre Gombe.

"I can confirmed to you that Sadiya with her relatives have arrived Gombe and she has been admitted at the hospital as we speak. I am glad that she is now in the hands of experts who will examine her condition properly and begin treatment ASAP," Alhaji Ali informed.

Alhaji Ali has also reaffirm his commitment of making sure that all medical bills will be settle to enable the young woman back to her feet again.

"We know that its Allah that gives life. On our part as humans, I will do every thing within my powers to ensure that she is back on her feet," he assured.

ImpactOnlineNigeria checks revealed that Sadiya because of her fragile condition, Alhaji Umar Ali had to hire an Ambulance with para-medics  who escorted  her to Gombe.

ImapctOnlineNigeria will keep an eye on this  developing story.
 




  

 

Share:

Read More

Yobe Assembly clerk bows out of service

 

Mr. Ishaku Ahmed being presented with a gift by the chief whip, Buba Kallalawa

After fulfilling one of the conditions of retirement in the civil service, the clerk of Yobe State House of Assembly, Ishaku Usman Ahmad was forced out of service yesterday after attaining the mandatory age of  60 years.

The Civil Service Rules in Nigeria stipulates that one either serves for 35 years or attains 60 years of age before retirement from the Civil Service of Nigeria.

Mr. Ahmed, who  has had an unblemished career since from the time of old Borno State has been one of the pillars that set up the Yobe State House of Assembly from creation in 1991 and has nurtured the house on a very sound pedestal.

The former clerk who was exactly 60 years yesterday was honored  by his colleague at the conference Hall of the Assembly complex where he was hosted to a send forth party attended by staff of the Assembly, family, friends and the media.

Represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon Buba Kallalawa, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Mirwa praised the contribution of the former clerk to the Assembly, while promising that the Assembly will continue to rely on his wealth of experience even after his retirement.

The Speaker described Mr. Ishaku Ahmed as a man of integrity who is very  humble, patient, and deligent in carrying out his responsibilities.

 “Our outgoing clerk is a man of integrity who demonstrated high level of maturity with the members. He is humble, gentle and very diligent in carrying-out his responsibilities. The  history of Yobe Assembly House of Assembly could not have been complete without his contributions”, the Speaker said.

Earlier in his remarks,  the outgoing clerk, Ishaku Usman Ahmed, thanked the entire staff of the Assembly for the cordial relationship he enjoyed. He also noted that one of the things that makes his stay at the Assembly a success is the cooperation he has enjoyed from all the members of staff of the Assembly, while calling on those he has offended to forgive him, just as he has forgiven everybody as well.

Speaking on the sideline with reporters, Mr. Ishaku was grateful for having a fruitful and glorious career and coming at the terminal stage of it.

 

A group picture with the retiree

While he remains optimistic of development ideas to move the state forward, Mr. Ishaku noted that,  “I  cannot play the ostrich at any time my contributions are required for the state as I am retired but not tired”, he said.

He also expressed joy to Almighty Allah for giving him a good health even at sixty without any health issue.

The retirement he explained will give him more time to be retrospect about his personal life and see where he will continue to be use to the society especially his home state Yobe. 

Highlights of the event was the presentation of gifts to the outgoing clerk by Hon. Ibrahim Buba Kallalawa, the chief whip  on behalf of the Speaker while Hon. Musa Dumbul, member representing Yunusari constituency presented on behalf of the Assembly staff. There were several group photo sessions with the clerk and his colleague and friends who graced the occasion.

Share:

Read More