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Gov. Buni’s Long Stretch of Generosity

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Gov. Buni’s Long Stretch of Generosity

By Umar Ali Kime

“The nourishment of the body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others” – Imam Ali Rahimullah.

The Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has repeatedly said “there is no joy in wealth until and unless, someone benefits from it”. This corroborates the maxim which says “life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.”

There is no doubt that Gov. Buni has a special passion for making others happy, loved and dignified as clearly exemplified in his personal interactions, goodwills and gifts in cash, kind or both such that those meeting him for the first time are never in a haste to leave, while the familiar faces are already addicted to him.

Let me share my long cherished experience as a beneficiary of his generosity at a very youthful age. As classmates in our secondary school days, after the long vacation, my father was yet to return from his trip to Lagos and we were billed to return to school. It became naturally obvious for me that l will not join my mates to go back to school. The news of my predicament went viral and filtered into the ears of young Buni. He visited me at home and surrendered his transport and pocket money given to him by his father to return to school. The gesture was both unbelievable and scary. I could not take the money from this amateur philanthropist but he insisted and dropped the money only to go back home to tell his father what he did and requested for another transport and pocket money. This is a story l will live with for my entire life.

Today, it is an indisputable fact that His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, has become a leading symbol of care, concern and support to orphans, indigent families, vulnerable groups, and People Living with Disabilities. It is therefore not surprising that his generosity has tremendously expanded to reach more people to satisfy his desire of assisting the less privileged persons in the society.

Just recently, at this crucial moment of economic hardship, Gov. Buni supported 1,000 orphans across the state with N50,000 each to enjoy the Ramadan season and also get new clothes for the Sallah festival for them to have a sense of belonging, love, and dignity.

He said the spirit of giving should be encouraged to go beyond the month of Ramadan. “The importance of such a kind gesture is that it promotes mutual respect and love, and in the same vein, eliminates hatred and envy. Above all, it earns us Allah’s Pleasure” .

Many orphans are today beneficiaries of government programmes with a special care given to them to pursue education at all levels.

“A very good percentage of orphans have been enrolled and sponsored by the State government to pursue education from primary schools up to tertiary level. Furthermore, many of them were enrolled in the Tsangaya Education System in the State” the Governor said.

When he assumed office as the governor of Yobe state in 2019, Governor Buni, visited YETIM orphanage care centre in Damaturu and increased its monthly running cost from N500,000 to N1 million.

He said that became necessary because, children orphaned by Boko Haram insurgency need the collective support by government, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals, adding “the orphans are children to all of us, and we must give them a sense of belonging by catering for their needs, and that cannot be done by government alone, it’s a collective responsibility.”

It is gratifying that efforts are being made to provide widows and orphans in the state with empowerment packages for self-reliance, empowerment and employment generation. In 2023, the Yobe state government supported 400 widows and 200 orphans from across the 17 Local Government areas with start-up capital to promote self-reliance.

The effective performance by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency in delivery of consumable and non consumable items to the targeted beneficiaries had been very impressive.

In Yobe state, the distribution of rice, Millet, Maize, Sorghum, Beans, beddings, soaps, and detergents among others has become a common sight. The free education and expanded free Healthcare Scheme has provided the orphans, the poor and vulnerable persons with opportunities to access education, and effective healthcare services in the state.

Governor Buni is personally sponsoring orphans, PLWD and other vulnerable persons in the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare system to access free medical services.

The construction of over 2,000 housing units has no doubt checked the housing deficit in Damaturu, the state capital, the 17 local government headquarters, and other major towns. The good news about this project is that widows and orphans, the vulnerable and People Living with Disabilities are all beneficiaries of the housing intervention. What is more? Governor Buni gave out the houses with a fifty percent (50%) subsidy. Meaning, the beneficiaries are ro pay only fifty percent of the houses. In recognition and appreciation of this incredible performance, the Africa Housing Award, conferred on the benevolent governor, the ‘Best Housing Friendly Governor’s award’ on Buni.

Under his watch, the state government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation has empowered 68,000 widows, orphans, the indigent and People Living Disabilities with equipment and start-up capital worth over N1.3bn.

The provision of 100 Avensis cars worth over N461 million to professional drivers under the empowerment programme has definitely changed the status of the beneficiaries from drivers to proud car owners.

Governor Buni’s long stretch of goodwill has no doubt reached so many people from far and near, and impacted positively on their lives, with more opportunities to live a life with dignity.

Umar can be reached on kime1920@gmail.com

Gov. Buni’s Long Stretch of Generosity

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Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested

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Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent confrontation among rival youths in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga, Minna, Niger State, resulted in the death of one person and the arrest of several others, security sources confirmed on Saturday.

According to sources, on Friday at about 8:00 p.m., a group of youths armed with dangerous weapons were sighted causing havoc along David Mark Road. Security operatives quickly intervened and dispersed the group.

However, at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, the same group engaged in a violent clash among themselves using matchets and daggers. Twelve suspects, including Ibrahim Musa, Abbah Hussaini, Babangida Gambo, and Abubakar Bala, were arrested, by the police and their weapons recovered.

Later at about 8:30 a.m., Bello Mohammed of Farm Centre, Tunga Minna, was found lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to General Hospital Minna but was confirmed dead on arrival.

Sources said that preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was among the suspected thugs terrorizing residents in the area.

Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested

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Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state

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Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state

By: Zagazola Makama

A 25-year-old Fulani man, Yakubu Salisu of Tenti village, Bokkos Local Government Area, was killed in a violent attack, while six cows were poisoned in a separate incident in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, authorities confirmed.

According to sources , Salisu was stabbed at the back by yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be locals of Bokkos. He died instantly at the scene.

Before the attack, a farmer, Josiah Joshua, 28, said he reportedly confronted six herders rearing cows on his farm. According to him, herders allegedly refused to remove the animals and attacked Joshua, resulting in injuries.

In retaliation, Joshua mobilized his friends to attack Yakubu Salisu, stabbing him multiple times on his before and killing him instantly.

Local leaders told Zagazola that the claims by some parties suggesting the Fulani victims “invaded farmlands” are false and appear to be an attempt to justify the attacks. Investigations indicate both incidents were unprovoked and targeted.

The police, however stormed the scene, photographed the corps and later released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites, as the family declined an autopsy. The Authorities said they have commenced investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, in Riyom LGA, six cows were poisoned in Kwi village without any apparent provocation.

Authorities have commenced investigations into both incidents, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

Security officials warned residents to remain vigilant and urged communities to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

These incidents illustrate the rising tensions in Plateau State, drawing attention to the need for swift intervention to prevent escalation of communal violence over farmland disputes.

Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state

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Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS

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Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS

By: Sunday Oladapo

Leadership in the security sector often reveals itself not through grand speeches or public displays of authority, but through quiet, deliberate decisions that gradually shift systems, culture, and outcomes. Adeola Ajayi’s stewardship of the Department of State Services (DSS) exemplifies this subtle but powerful form of leadership. Though he rarely seeks the spotlight, the changes unfolding under his watch are reshaping the DSS in ways that many insiders describe as the most meaningful transformation the agency has witnessed in years.

From the moment Ajayi assumed office, it was clear he was bringing a different kind of energy—one rooted in discipline, modernization, and strategic silence. Instead of sweeping pronouncements, he focused on strengthening the agency’s foundation: its people, processes, and purpose. And this approach, though understated, is now yielding visible dividends.

Reinvigorating Professionalism and Intelligence Capacity

One of Ajayi’s most significant achievements is the recalibration of the DSS’s intelligence framework. Recognizing that modern threats—from terrorism to cybercrime—require an intelligence service that is both proactive and technologically sophisticated, he initiated targeted reforms to upgrade analytical tools, digital surveillance capacity, and field operations coordination.

Training programs have also been revitalized. Officers are now exposed to global best practices in intelligence gathering, behavioral analysis, cybersecurity, and inter-agency communication. The goal is simple but transformative: build a DSS that can prevent threats before they materialize, rather than merely responding after damage has been done.

Ajayi’s emphasis on data-driven intelligence has contributed to more efficient threat assessment, improved crisis response, and a more agile internal structure that encourages innovation instead of outdated, rigid protocols.

Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration

A common weakness in Nigeria’s security architecture has been fragmentation—agencies working in silos, often competing rather than collaborating. Ajayi has worked quietly but effectively to change this dynamic. His leadership has fostered smoother cooperation between the DSS, the police, the military, and other national security institutions.

By prioritizing information-sharing, joint operations, and coordinated strategy development, Ajayi has positioned the DSS as a core driver of national security synergy. This shift may not be flashy, but its impact on operational success is already becoming evident.

Humanizing the Service and Rebuilding Public Trust

For many years, perceptions of the DSS fluctuated between respect and apprehension, largely due to concerns over transparency and human-rights practices. Ajayi has taken deliberate steps to address this by promoting a more professional, rights-conscious operational culture. Officers now undergo enhanced training on ethical conduct, community engagement, and communication.

While the DSS is not—and cannot be—a public-relations-driven institution, Ajayi understands that a modern security service must maintain a level of trust with the citizens it protects. His reforms are gradually helping to redefine the agency’s public interface, balancing its mandate for secrecy with an improved commitment to professionalism and accountability.

Internal Welfare and Institutional Stability

Security agencies perform best when their personnel feel valued, motivated, and well-equipped. Ajayi has strengthened internal welfare systems, ensuring officers receive improved support, clearer career growth opportunities, and the tools they need to perform effectively. This has boosted morale and reduced internal friction—two factors crucial for operational efficiency.

His quiet stabilizing influence has also brought a sense of predictability to DSS operations. Under his leadership, the agency appears more insulated from political turbulence, allowing it to focus squarely on its mandate.

A Leadership Style Rooted in Strategy, Not Spectacle

In a time when some leaders rely on bravado or theatrics to appear effective, Ajayi stands out for his disciplined restraint. His philosophy seems guided by a fundamental principle: a security agency’s success is measured in outcomes, not headlines. The calmness of his leadership style has enabled him to pursue reforms without unnecessary noise, distractions, or politicization.

And this may be the true hallmark of his impact—delivering change through consistency rather than controversy.

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Blueprint for the DSS

If the momentum of Ajayi’s reforms is sustained, the DSS could emerge as a more modern, reliable, and globally respected intelligence service. His agenda sets a foundation for:

A culture of professionalism over patronage

A stronger intelligence-driven approach to national security

A more integrated and collaborative security environment

A service that balances secrecy with lawful, ethical conduct

A stable institution that prioritizes national interest above all else

His leadership demonstrates that meaningful reform does not always come with fanfare. Sometimes, it comes quietly—through silent changes that produce big, enduring impact.

In transforming the DSS with such strategic subtlety, Adeola Ajayi is not only redefining the institution but also showing that a new era of thoughtful, modern security leadership is both possible and already taking shape.
Sunday Oladapo is a public analysts from Abuja

Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS

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