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Buni: Another Year of Employment, Empowerment and Exemplary Initiatives
Buni: Another Year of Employment, Empowerment and Exemplary Initiatives
By: Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani
Governor Mai Mala Buni’s pace-setting of 2,670 youth employment into Yobe State Government which comprises of 15 people from each political ward across the state is something to be proud of in second term of his one year in office.
Apart from the aforementioned employees, there are several doctors, nurses, midwives and lab attendants recuited in Yobe State University Teaching Hospital. Again, there are 225 candidates that were appointed in Yobe State University as replacement, Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua and other institutions, agencies that are numerous to mention.
On the issue of empowerment, His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni has created a Ministry for Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Opportunity, headed by Hon. Aji Yerima Bularafa. Through the Ministry, Gov. Buni has empowered thousands of youth in Yobe through various initiative that are numerous to mention.
Recently, through his Domestic Personal Assistant, Hassan Shettima, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON has empowered more than 200 people with bags of rice, mats, blankets and grinding machines.
Others are; generators, Computers, GSM repair equipments, weaving machines and cash as capitals for the beneficiaries.
In the same vein, Yobe Microfinance Bank PLC is always at the forefront in empowering youths in the state. The Managing Director of the Bank, Dr. Sheriff Almuhajir is always initiating programs that will aid the masses.
On his exemplary leadership initiative, Yobe state is quite different as the state government takes measures against hoarding, bulk purchase, and transportation of grains and other food items to curb hunger and starvation in the state.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state has earlier presided over an emergency meeting on the issue of food security in the state where he expressed deep concern over the hoarding of grains and other essential commodities, creating artificial scarcity with more hardships to the people.
His spokesperson, Mamman Mohammed, said that government would roll out concrete measures to cushion the effects of the rising cost of foodstuff and other commodities.
It’s also on record that Yobe is among the best states that distributed a large quantity of food items to its people through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Yobe SEMA is always unique in terms of proper distribution to the deserving people, especially the needy. According to the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Goje, SEMA has distributed food items to over 165,000 beneficiaries across the state. This is a great testimony of a man with human feelings.
On the other hand through the State Coordinator of North East Development Commission (NEDC), Dr. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, the distribution of food items in Yobe State from the commission is second to none.
Indeed, there is the dire need for other governors to emulate Buni as we all know the best quality of a politician is honesty, God-fearing and empathy. A faithful and effective politician is trustworthy and reliable. He must capture the essence of truth, display sincerity, candour and practice what he preaches. He makes decisions and accepts responsibility for his actions and inactions.
The same is true in his dealing with his people. He makes promises and keeps those promises, somebody people can rely on. He should love people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and strive to help them as a true mark of a responsible leader. And, of course, Governor Buni possesses these qualities.
There’s no doubt the benefits of pity and its impact are numerous to mention In Islam but it’s noted that whoever adorns himself with it has adorned himself with a quality of the Messenger of Allah and those of that quality have been specially promised Allah’s mercy because they have shown others mercy and pity. And It is a great pillar upon which a strong, cohesive Muslim society should be built; with affection and pity for one another. It is a reason to gain Allah’s forgiveness, blessed and exalted, and the ennoblement of His pardon. Just as its opposite is a reason for His wrath and anger.
May Allah continue to guide our leaders on the right path.
Congratulations Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON on your one year in office as second term Governor of Yobe State.
*Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani writes from Damaturu, Yobe State
Buni: Another Year of Employment, Empowerment and Exemplary Initiatives
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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