News

Gov. Buni’s Long Stretch of Generosity

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

News

Army holds Senior Command and Leadership Seminar in Port Harcourt

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Army holds Senior Command and Leadership Seminar in Port Harcourt

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has held its First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar for 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, aimed at strengthening operational leadership in complex security environments.

Sources said the seminar took place on April 14 at the Port Harcourt Barracks and had in attendance senior officers from various formations.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, was represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Maj.-Gen. P.P. Malla, who was received by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.E. Emekah.

According to the source, the seminar featured a lecture titled “Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership in a Complex Operational Environment,” delivered by retired Maj.-Gen. I.S. Ali.

The lecture session also had contributions from retired Air Vice Marshal I.G. Lubo and retired Maj.-Gen. S.O. Olabanji as discussants.

The event, which brought together serving and retired senior military officers, was described as hitch-free.

Military authorities said the seminar is part of ongoing efforts to improve command efficiency, decision-making, and inter-agency coordination in contemporary security operations.

Army holds Senior Command and Leadership Seminar in Port Harcourt

News

LATE BRIGADIER GENERAL BRAIMO, OTHER FALLEN HEROES LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS

Published

10 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

LATE BRIGADIER GENERAL BRAIMO, OTHER FALLEN HEROES LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS

By: Our Reporter

In a solemn and emotionally charged ceremony, the nation on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, laid to rest Late Brigadier General Omo Braimo, Captain Ismail, and other gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

The burial, held at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, Borno State, was marked by deep sorrow, honour and reflection.

Amidst grieving families and fellow comrades, the fallen heroes were accorded full military honours in recognition of their selfless service and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation.

Their sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy price paid daily by members of the Armed Forces to safeguard the peace, unity and security of Nigeria.

In attendance were the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other senior military officers, all gathered to honour the courage and dedication of the departed.In their tributes, the Governor, the Minister of Defence, the CDS, and the COAS described the fallen soldiers as true patriots who stood firm in the face of danger and made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live in safety.

They noted that their bravery and sense of duty will continue to inspire generations and remain etched in the nation’s history.With heavy hearts, prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of their souls, while citations detailing their service and sacrifice were read before their next of kin.

The grief of their families underscored the human cost of the nation’s security efforts, even as their courage remains a source of pride and honour.

As the nation mourns these heroes, it is reminded that the freedom and stability enjoyed today come at a profound cost, paid by brave men who placed duty above self and gave everything in service to their fatherland.

LATE BRIGADIER GENERAL BRAIMO, OTHER FALLEN HEROES LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONOURS

News

FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems

Published

18 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, the deployment of technology to strengthen border security, and the entrenchment of financial integrity across public institutions.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Haruna Yahaya, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that reforming the nation’s correctional system remains a top priority, stressing that the focus must extend beyond incarceration to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.

“Government has a duty of care to its citizens. Even where freedom is restricted by law, those in custody must be treated with dignity and given opportunities to return to society better than they came,” he said.

He noted that the shift from the Prisons Act to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act marked a deliberate transition toward a system that prioritizes reformation over mere detention.

On border management and internal security, the Minister disclosed that the Correctional Information Management System (CIMS) now contains over 50 million records compiled from operations at seaports and airports, with ongoing integration of land border data.

According to him, the system enhances the government’s ability to detect irregularities and prevent unauthorized entry, aligning with modern security strategies that prioritize proactive measures over reactive responses.

“We are building systems that can stop problems before they happen, not just respond after the damage is done,” he added.

Addressing financial governance, Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of strengthening internal controls across government institutions, noting that preventive mechanisms are more effective than post-incident audits.

“It is not enough to detect issues after they occur. The goal is to build systems that make such issues difficult to happen in the first place,” he said.

He called on professional bodies such as ICAN to deepen their collaboration with government, particularly in areas of revenue assurance, transparency, and institutional accountability, while also encouraging stronger public-private partnerships to enhance efficiency and boost investor confidence.

On infrastructure, the Minister highlighted the need to expand fire and rescue services nationwide, pointing out that innovative funding models, including private sector participation, would be crucial to achieving this goal.

Tunji-Ojo also congratulated ICAN on its leadership and its upcoming West Africa Accountants Conference 2026 scheduled for December 2026, assuring the institute of government support. He further commended the increasing representation of women in professional leadership, describing it as a positive sign for the future.

Earlier, ICAN President Haruna Yahaya applauded the Ministry’s ongoing reforms and proposed the creation of a Joint ICAN–Ministry Financial Integrity and Revenue Assurance Task Force.

He explained that the initiative would target key areas including revenue assessment within the Nigeria Immigration Service, payroll analysis across uniformed services, and procurement risk review, with the aim of reducing leakages and strengthening accountability across government operations.

FG Pushes Deeper Reforms in Prisons, Border Security, and Financial Systems