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  • APC ahead in Yobe, Ebonyi Senate reruns, ADP leads in Plateau North

    APC ahead in Yobe, Ebonyi Senate reruns, ADP leads in Plateau North

    By Tony Akowe, Abuja/Kolade Adeyemi, Jos/Ogo Anioke, Abakaliki/Emmanuel Badejo/Alao Abiodun/Otabor Osagie, Akure/Chinaka Duruiheoma, Enugu/Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto/Bassey Anthony, Uyo/Justina Asishana, Minna/Nsa Gill, Calabar/Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi/Joel Duku, Damaturu/David Adenuga, Bauchi/Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi/ Segun Showunmi, Ibadan/AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

    • Laguda wins Gbajabiamila’s former House seat

    • APC wins Saki West State Constituency in Oyo; ahead in Benue’s Guma I Constituency

    • INEC suspends voting in 20 Enugu, Kano, A’Ibom polling units

    • PDP, APC bicker over alleged vote-buying, ballot snatching

    • Voters hold INEC officials hostage in Jos over inadequate ballot paper

    • Senator, Rep accuse INEC of writing results for PDP in Enugu

    Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) last night established clear lead in the by-elections held in Ebonyi South Senatorial District and Yobe East Senatorial District.

    The party won outright in the by-election in Surulere 1 federal constituency of Lagos State.

    Prince Pam Dachungyang of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) surged ahead in Plateau North following protest votes by the electorate to express their displeasure at the exclusion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the polls.

    The by-elections took place in 26 states across the country, namely Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

    However, midway into the polls yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the suspension of voting in Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State and some state constituencies in Enugu and Kano states, citing irregularities, disruption of election and abduction of electoral officials.

    According to vote returns from the polling units as posted by INEC on its I-Rev portal last night, APC’s Professor Anthony Ani was leading comfortably in Ebonyi South while Hon. Musa Mustapha also of the APC seemed to have garnered most of the results for Yobe East.

    The majority of the voters in Plateau North Senatorial District, apparently disenchanted by the exclusion of the PDP from the by-election, chose to cast their lot for Dachungyang, although INEC said yesterday that it had postponed voting in 18 units in the senatorial district.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Dr Oliver Agundu, said the postponement was as a result of complaints about shortage of electoral materials in some polling units.

    He said: “15 are in Tudun-Wada/Kabong Ward, and three are in Naraguta B ward all in Jos North LGA. So, we have decided that we cannot even take it for granted that this is a negligible number compared to over 900 polling units where the elections took place.”  

    The commission last night declared APC’s Kayode Laguda winner of the Surulere1 election with 11,203 votes.

    His closest opponent, Jerry Afemikhe of the PDP got 278 votes while Adeola Adebano of Labour Party had 240 votes.

    There were a total of 11,801 valid votes, according to INEC. 138 of the lot were rejected.

    Below is the full result:

    ADC – 40

    APC – 11, 203

    APGA – 6

    APM – 7

    APP – 4

    LP – 240

    NNPP – 8

    PDP – 278

    SDP – 2

    YPP – 9

    ZLP – 4

    Laguda is replacing the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, in the Green Chamber.

    Gbajabiamila vacated the seat following his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu last June.

    Soon after casting his vote yesterday, a confident Laguda had told newsmen that he was waiting to be congratulated as winner of the election.

    He said: “APC as a party campaigned seriously, and we approached people to come out and vote.

    “As a party that did the best we were able to do, we are hoping that they will still come out and vote.”

    Police arrest dozens of ballot box snatchers in Kano rerun

    The police arrested many suspected ballot box snatchers during the rerun election into the Kano State House of Assembly.

    The police in Sokoto also confirmed the arrest of two persons for disrupting the rerun election process in Sokoto State yesterday.

    The command’s spokesman, ASP Ahmed Rufa’I, said the arrests were made at the Magaji polling units in Shagari town, Shagari Local Government Area.

    The apprehended Kano youths were armed with dangerous weapons with the intention of disrupting the elections in Kunchi Local Government Area of the state, police said.

    It was gathered that in Tsanyawa Local government Area, some youths reportedly snatched ballot boxes during the exercise.

    The rerun election in Kura Local Government Area of the state was however peaceful.

    Security personnel were present in the polling units where the rerun election was held in Kura.

    Turnout was high in all the areas where the election was held peacefully.

    Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who spoke on the arrest of the election disrupters, said the thugs arrested in possession of firearms were hired by a politician contesting the election.

    “We saw a truck that is faulty by the roadside. We saw people in large number by the roadside.

    “At first, they gave us the impression that it was the fuel of the vehicle that finished. But upon close observation, we saw them in possession of arms.

    “One Abdulrazaq Muhammad a.k.a. Mai Salati, from Kano Municipal, told us the candidate who is contesting in the area invited them over.

    “We will get the person to know if he is truly a candidate contesting and why did he invite them to the area.

    “We suspect they are in the bush to lay ambush on the electoral officers while on their way with the election results.”

    The development was responsible for the suspension of voting in the constituency.

    Party chieftains arrested over alleged hijack of election materials

    Thugs also went on the rampage during the rerun election in Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State, prompting INEC to suspend voting in two units in Ini and one unit in Ikono local government areas contesting the election were the Young Progressives Party candidate, Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, and Dr. Glory Edet of the PDP.

    The Nation learnt that some party chieftains in Ini LGA were arrested for election malpractices and thuggery.

    Youth leader, one other nabbed in Ebonyi

    Soldiers also arrested two persons in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State yesterday.

    One of those arrested was a youth Leader in the area, who was picked up at night in his residence.

    He was later released after several hours, following pleadings.

    The military also stormed the Afikpo New Market polling unit at about 1pm and arrested one other person.

    Thugs hijack ballot box in Ikare-Akoko

    Voting was similarly disrupted at Unit 5, Ward 13 in Oyinmo, Ikare-Akoko,Ondo State during the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal Constituency by-election when suspected political thugs snatched the ballot box.

    An eyewitness, who did not want his name published, said that the attack occurred just before noon after no fewer than 63 people had cast their votes.

    He explained that the hoodlums caused some commotion, and while security personnel at the polling unit were trying to restore peace and order, one of them snatched the ballot box and fled the scene.

    The eyewitness said that though the hoodlums made away with the ballot box, the result sheet, BVAS machine and other materials were not taken.

    Senator, Rep accuse INEC of writing results for PDP

    Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) and Representative Chimaobi Sam Atu (Enugu North/South) accused INEC of withholding sensitive election materials, including collation (form EC8D) and result (form EC8E) sheets,

    The lawmakers also accused the PDP of conniving with INEC to write results of the by-election and wanting to use same to declare its candidate, Sam Ngene, winner of the by-election for  Enugu South Urban state constituency.

    The by-election was scheduled for only eight polling units at the Robinson Primary School, Uwani and Uwani Secondary School, situated on the same street.

    Speaking with newsmen at the election venue, Senator Chukwu said: “I was reliably informed that this election has been highly compromised.

    “I got to the place (INEC office in Enugu South LGA), I met with the EO, one Francis Chigbo, and told him to do the simplest thing by showing all the candidates the original result sheets, which he has not produced.

    “That is what is causing the tension. I am worried because since the INEC is yet to show the result sheets, the election may not hold.

    “I have spoken to the Assistant Commissioner of Police. I have spoken to an army officer in charge. I have told them what is required. I told the INEC man to show the people the result sheet; very simple.

    “My demand is that the original result sheet be shown to them. If that is not done, there will be no election.”

    Atu similarly demanded the release of the original result sheets to enable the election commence, saying “INEC is not doing what they should do. The call I got is that the result has already been written.

    “Some people are demanding that the result sheet should be shown to them so that there will be free and fair election. That is what the masses are standing for.”

    The candidate of the PDP for Enugu South Urban state constituency, Sam Ngene, denied involvement in the missing result sheets.

    According to him, the result sheet was displayed to agents and other stakeholders on Friday night.

    Some members of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu protested the failure of INEC to produce the original result sheets for the Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run election.

    However, members of the PDP, who held a counter-protest, said the election must proceed as planned.

    The by-election is holding in only eight polling units at the Robinson Primary School, Uwani and Uwani Secondary School, situated on the same street.

    INEC suspends rerun elections in three constituencies for irregularities

    National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education of INEC, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement that the suspension was on account of irregularities, disruption of election and abduction of electoral officials.

    He asked the security agencies to investigate the incidents.

    He said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission announces the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.

    “The affected areas are Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State where elections is suspended in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums; Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State where election is suspended in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls; Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State where election is suspended in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.

    “The decision of the Commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. Further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commission’s meeting on Monday.

    “INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents while the Commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials.”

    The elections were generally peaceful in other parts although turnout was low in many areas.

    But our correspondent in Bauchi State said the turnout of voters, especially women, was high.

    Security was also tight.

    APC wins Saki West state constituency rerun election

    Mr. Shittu Ibrahim of the APC was last night declared winner of Saki West State Constituency rerun election for Oyo State House of Assembly.

    Shittu, according to INEC, defeated his closest rival, Julius Okedoyin, of the PDP.

    Shittu had been declared winner of the March 18, 2023 election by the commission, having polled 13,692 votes to defeat Okedoyin who had 13,422 votes.

    Not satisfied with the result declared by INEC, Okedoyin and PDP approached the election petition tribunal, claiming irregularities, over-voting, and non-compliance.

     In a unanimous judgment delivered in September 2023, a three-member tribunal led by Justice Jubril Anaja, nullified Shittu’s election.

    According to Anaja, the result of the election could be significantly impacted by the cancellation of results in Unit 7, Ward 6 and Unit 19, Ward 11 of the constituency, which had 1,285 voter cards collected.

    The tribunal held that over 1,000 voters were disenfranchised, while the margin of victory between the winner and petitioner was 270 votes.

    In an attempt to overturn the tribunal’s decision, Shittu appealed the judgment.

    However, in a judgment delivered in November 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the tribunal’s judgment and ordered a rerun in the two polling units. It also directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return from Shittu.

    In yesterday’s rerun however, Shittu polled 290 votes while Okedoyin had 330 votes.

    The APC candidate polled 200 votes in Unit 7, Ward 6, Odo Osun, to beat Okedoyin, who had 190 votes.

    APC wins in Ondo, Nasarawa; leads in Benue

    Candidates of APC also won yesterday in the House of Reps by-election in Akoko NorthEast/NorthWest of Ondo State and rerun election into the Keana constituency seat in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

    Its candidate was ahead in Guma 1 State constituency in Benue State.

    INEC declared Mr Ifeoluwa Ehindero winner of the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal constituency by-election in Ondo State.

    Prof. Johnson Fasinmirin of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Returning Officer of the election, said Ehindero polled 35,504 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Olalekan Bada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had 15,328 votes.

    The Returning Officer said that total votes cast were 51,896 with valid votes cast being 51,341 while 555 votes were rejected.

     In Nasarawa State, Mr Mohammed Omadefu of APC was declared winner of the  Keana constituency seat in the State House of Assembly.

    The Appeal Court sitting Abuja had in Nov. 2023, declared the March 18, 2023 state assembly election in Keana constituency inconclusive, and ordered a rerun election in five polling units in Agaza electoral ward to determine the winner of the election.

    Declaring the result of the rerun election in Keana, the constituency’s returning officer, Dr Hassan Imam, from the Federal University of Lafia, said that Omadefu of APC polled 557 votes, while  Mr Basil Osheka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 470 votes.

    He explained that votes garnered by each candidate at the rerun election would be added to the votes scored by the candidates during the March 18, 2023 elections in order to declare the winner of the state constituency seat at the Assembly.

    Imam, therefore, said that Omadefu of APC scored 8,069 votes to defeat his closest rival, Osheka of PDP who polled 7, 917 votes.

    “Consequently, Mohammed Omadefu of APC having scored the highest number of votes is hereby declare the winner and returned elected,” he said.

    Reacting to his victory, Omadefu expressed gratitude to the people of Agaza electoral ward and the entire Keana for their love and support.

    He promised to consolidate on his previous achievements with the renewed mandate given by the people.

    With Omadefu’s victory, the APC has regained its majority in the Nasarawa Assembly with 10 members, followed by the PDP with nine members.

    Uche Terwase of APC was ahead of Jimin Georfry of PDP in the Benue state election.

  • Yobe shuts seven illegal health facilities

    Yobe shuts seven illegal health facilities

    The Yobe government has shut down seven private health-related training institutions and clinics in the state

    Dr Yusuf Ngamdu, the Executive Secretary, Yobe Healthcare and Health-related Facilities Inspection and Monitoring Agency (YOHFIMA), said this on Friday in Damaturu.

    Ngamdu said the affected facilities were operating illegally by offering certificates and rendering  clinical services in excess of the law.

    He listed the facilities to include Medical Career Guidance, Potiskum; North-East Biotech Services Limited, Public Health Consultancy Services, Potiskum, and Auxiliary International Health Sciences Academy, Nguru.

    Read Also: Adamawa shuts down 8 illegal health training colleges

    Others are Iqmi International Modern School Study Centre  Potiskum; Aminci Nursing Home and Maternity Damaturu, and an Unnamed radio-diagnostic center opposite Primary Healthcare Centre Dogon-Zare, Potiskum.

    The secretary urged residents of the state to be wary of the affected facilities to stem quackery in the health sector.

    He enjoined private and public healthcare facilities in the state against employing products of the affected health-related training institutions, warning that defaulters would be sanctioned.

    Ngamdu also advised public and private healthcare facilities operating in the state to register with the agency and shun acts capable of violating its regulations.

    (NAN)

  • Yobe govt shifts LG poll to May 25

    Yobe govt shifts LG poll to May 25

    The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission, (YSIEC) has shifted the state local government councils election from November 2023 to May 25.

    Dr Mamman Mohammed, the Chairman of the commission, stated this at a news conference in Damaturu on Wednesday.

    Mohammed said that the commission had also budgeted N500million for the conduct of the election.

    “Gov. Mai Mala Buni has graciously given the approval to the state Independent Electoral Commission to adjust the date of the election for the 17 chairmen and 178 councilors of local government councils in Yobe to May 25.

    Read Also: Yobe court sentences soldiers convicted of killing Islamic cleric to death

    “This is in consonance to the provision of section 197 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended,” he said.

    The chairman said all qualified aspirants across registered political parties were free to contest.

    “ All Yobe people are allowed to contest for the councillorship and chairmanship after attaining the age of 25 and 30 without gender bias, sane not corrupt, and resident in the community.

    “Candidates must also possess the minimum educational qualification of secondary school certificate or its equivalence, and must undergo security screening, with a fee of N300,000, 250,000 and N200,000 for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councilors aspirants,” Mohammed said.

    He said political parties would be issued with election guidelines to enable them to present reputable and qualified candidates.

    The chairman called on the media to give adequate publicity for the election, urging security agencies to ensure that all polling units were well protected.

    (NAN)

  • Yobe court sentences soldiers convicted of killing Islamic cleric to death

    Yobe court sentences soldiers convicted of killing Islamic cleric to death

    Justice Usman Zannah of the High Court of Yobe State sitting in Potiskum has ruled on the case involving Lance CPL John Gabriel and Lance CPL Adamu Gideon over alleged armed robbery and murder of an Islamic cleric in Yobe State, Sheik Goni Aisami.

    Sheik Goni Aisami was alleged to have been murdered sometime in August 2022 by the accused.

    Lance CPL John Gabriel, the first accused, stood trial for the grave offence of Armed Robbery under Section 1 (2) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision Act) Cap R11 LFN 2004, and Section 221 of the Penal Code Law of Yobe state.

    The second accused, Lance CPL Adamu Gideon, faced charges of Attempted Culpable Homicide and assisting in the concealment of stolen property.

    During the trial, the prosecution called twelve witnesses and submitted nine exhibits.

    In their defence, both accused testified but opted not to call further evidence.

    Read Also: Troops in pursuit of Yobe governor’s convoy attackers, says DHQ

    After the evaluation of the evidence presented before the court, Justice Usman Zannah in his judgement convicted Lance CPL John Gabriel on two counts, sentencing him to death by hanging for both charges.

    On the other hand, Lance CPL Adamu Gideon was convicted on the first count and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. He was however discharged on the second count.

    This ruling marks a significant development in the legal landscape, emphasizing the commitment to justice and accountability, even among members of the armed forces.

    The case underscores the severity with which the court addressed the allegations of Armed Robbery and related offences.

    The judgment reflects the judiciary’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those found guilty of serious crimes face appropriate consequences.

    The public awaits to see how this decision sets a precedent for future cases involving military personnel and underscores the importance of maintaining discipline within the ranks.

    The Nation reported that the two soldiers were dismissed by the Army and handed over to the police for prosecution.

  • How troops foiled attack on Yobe gov’s convoy in Borno

    How troops foiled attack on Yobe gov’s convoy in Borno

    The Defence Headquarters said troops of 29 Task Force Brigade foiled the attack by terrorists on the convoy of Yobe Governor along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on Saturday.

    A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Monday in Abuja, said the troops also recovered the two vehicles affected in the incident.

    He said one military truck driver, four police escorts and one DSS operative wounded in the attack were in stable condition.

    According to him, one of the injured police escorts died shortly on arrival at the Specialists Hospital Damaturu.

    “Reinforcement of troops from 29 Task Force Brigade led by the Brigade Commander are conducting fighting patrol in the area to locate the terrorists who carried out the dastardly act.

    Read Also: Tanker drivers deny alleged planned protest, pledge support for Tinubu

    “The two vehicles affected in the incident include one military MRAP and one civilian escort vehicle whose tyres were shot at during the incident, have been safely recovered to the military camp at Benisheikh.

    “Operations are ongoing to hunt and destroy the terrorists that perpetrated the attack,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor’s convoy was ambushed by terrorists while returning to Damaturu from Maiduguri, about 6 kilometers from Benesheikh town on Saturday.

    The governor was not in the convoy when it was ambushed.

    The Secretary to the State Government and some other top government officials who were in the convoy were unhurt.

    (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Yobe distributes food items to 137,000 households

    Yobe distributes food items to 137,000 households

    Yobe has so far distributed food items to 137,000 households as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

    Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Muhammad Goje, yesterday at a news conference in Damaturu, said rice, maize, pasta and condiments were distributed to the beneficiaries.

    He explained that the items were distributed to beneficiaries in Damaturu, Fine, Potiskum, Bade, Geidam and Jakusko local government areas.

    Goje said each household received between 20kg and 50kg of the grains, depending on its size.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    “Sixty-nine per cent of the beneficiaries got the items correctly while the remaining 31 per cent got theirs through clusters,” he said.

    Goje added that beneficiaries were identified by registration and recommendations by traditional leaders, places of worship, political parties, and orphanages and by people with disabilities, among others.

    He assured that other vulnerable groups in the remaining 11 local government areas of the state would benefit from the items as soon as possible.

  • Yobe Assembly Committee probes Nguru LG chairman

    Yobe Assembly Committee probes Nguru LG chairman

    The Yobe State House of Assembly’s Standing Committee on Petition, Human Rights, and Security recently embarked on a fact-finding mission in Nguru, in response to a petition filed by residents of Unguwar Ramin Birki in the Tsohon Nguru ward against the Local Government Chairman.

    The petition, endorsed by 41 concerned residents, accuses the chairman of violating their fundamental human rights. The chairman reportedly initiated a water drainage project that encroached upon their properties without fair compensation or consultation.

    Read Also: 1,000 Yobe flood victims get N100,000 each

    According to the petitioners, the project caused more harm than good due to its improper execution.

    Prompted by this petition, the House Committee visited Nguru town to assess the claims firsthand. On Monday, September 18, 2023, they met with residents at the Tsohon Nguru residential quarters of Nguru Local Government.

    Several affected individuals shared their experiences with the Committee, urging justice to prevail. The Chairman of the House Committee on Petition, Human Rights, and Security, Hon. Ya’u Usman Dachia, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, was accompanied by Hon. Hassan Mohammed and Hon. Bulama Bukar during the visit.

    Hon. Dachia assured the residents that the Committee’s presence aimed to verify their claims, and they would report back to the House for further action, promising that justice would be served to all parties involved.

  • 1,000 Yobe flood victims get N100,000 each

    1,000 Yobe flood victims get N100,000 each

    Each of 1,000 victims of the 2022 flooding in Yobe got N100,000 yesterday from Federal Government’s COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

    Governor Mai Mala Buni inaugurated the cash transfer for the flood and other natural disaster victims in Damaturu.

    He also kicked-off the transfer of N10,000 monthly stipends to each of 3,510 other beneficiaries.

    “I am pleased to be here to launch the new component of cash transfer grant of N100,000 each to 1,000 beneficiaries who were victims of flood disaster and other shocks. I am also happy to flag off the distribution of N10,000 monthly stipends each to 3,510 beneficiaries across the state.

    “The two components are part of the NG-CARES programme of the Federal Government,” he said.

    He said the state government had employed workable and realistic measures to facilitate post-insurgency recovery process of sustainable means of livelihood for the people of the state.

    “These include training in skills acquisition, provision of tools, and start-up capital for youths and widows who opted to engage in Point of Sale business, irrigation, tailoring, painting, GSM phones and laptops repairs.

    “Others are fish, poultry production, small-scale rice milling, personal beauty and hygiene, furniture-making, catering, fashion designing, auto and electronic technics, food processing, animal husbandry and building,” he said.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Biden’s wife tests positive for COVID-19

    Buni added that Yobe would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government; with development partners and with relevant organisations on livelihood support and development of the state.

    He commended the Office of the NG-CARES in Yobe for the timely implementation of the new component of the programme.

    The governor also lauded the office for implementing the payment of N10,000 monthly stipends which had been extended by two years by the Federal Government.

    Earlier, Yobe Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Hajiya Mairo Amshi, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected.

  • I’ve kept faith in Yobe with projects, says Buni

    I’ve kept faith in Yobe with projects, says Buni

    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni says he has kept faith with the people in projects’ execution and people-oriented programmes.

     He stated this at a retreat marking his first meeting with the new Yobe State Executive Council (SEC) at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano, at the weekend.

     The governor noted that the two-day retreat signified the zeal, determination and focus of his administration to form a formidable team well equipped to face the myriad tasks of development for Yobe.

    “Our people once again put their trust and confidence in us to lead them for another four-year term. Most of us are veterans in the conduct of government business and are conversant with the burden of executing public trust for socio-economic development,” he said.

    Read Also: I’ve kept faith in Yobe with projects, says Buni

     “However, after meditating on our set objectives, I concluded that our team must sit-up, scale up activities and increase passion for moving the State to another developmental level.

     Buni urged his commissioners to be more innovative and adaptive to modern ideas for effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of responsibilities.

    He said: “This clearly requires us to reflect on our previous achievements with a view to putting our meager resources in other areas for more impact on the well-being of our people.

     “I believe, both old and new members of the Executive Council, as good Yobeans with interest of the State at heart, are not oblivious of our achievements in various aspects of human endeavour,” he added.

    The Yobe governor said his administration has constructed three mega schools in the three senatorial zones; built new school structures in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and ensured prompt payment of his counterpart obligation, tuition and examination fees for Yobe candidates studying nationwide and abroad.

     To make all parts of the Yobe accessible, Buni said, he is doing construction works on inter-community roads and township roads and drainages to ease the movement of goods and services.

     In health, he said he has provided the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital with modern facilities and upgraded Primary Healthcare centers to General Hospitals.

     “The construction of Geidam and Potiskum Modern markets and the Potiskum Trailer Park are ongoing to enhance commercial activities and revenue generation drive in the State; 2,600 housing units were constructed and offered for sale on owner-occupier basis to civil servants and other members of the public across the State with a 50 percent discount.

     “We have strengthen local security intelligence, vigilance and vigilante collaboration while strengthening post-insurgency restoration of livelihood in the affected communities,” the governor highlighted.

    In the Agric sector, he said he is exploiting the full potential of arable land in Yobe, while modernising livestock breeding.

    According to him, he is doing a lot in infrastructure, environment and water resources, while developing vocational skills for entrepreneurship and employment and support for small and medium scale businesses, through facilitation of access to affordable credit to reduce poverty.

    The governor said he expects the retreat to inculcate in his cabinet members financial discipline as required by the Law.

    “There high expectation from our people for us to maximally deliver with full value of money expended on the conduct of government business.

    “As public office holders, we should maintain observance of prudence, transparency, probity and accountability,” he said.

    Buni assured he will complete all ongoing projects, embark on “essential new ones“ and focus on empowerment to cope with post-insurgency livelihood restoration and the nationwide current challenges of oil subsidy withdrawal and inflationary pressure facing the entire Nigerian citizenry.

    He disclosed he adheres to due process as the guiding principle of his administration in the execution of policies and programmes.

  • I’ve kept faith in Yobe with projects, says Buni

    I’ve kept faith in Yobe with projects, says Buni

    Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, said he has kept faith with the people of his state in terms of projects execution and people-oriented programmes.

    He stated this at a retreat marking his first formal meeting with the newly constituted membership of Yobe State Executive Council (SEC), held at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano, at the weekend.

    The governor noted that the two-day retreat signifies the zeal, determination and focus of his administration to form a formidable team well equipped to face the myriad tasks of development for Yobe state.

    He said: “Our people once again put their trust and confidence in us to lead them for another four-year term. Most of us are veterans in the conduct of government business and are conversant with the burden of executing public trust for socio-economic development. 

    “However, after meditating on our set objectives, I concluded that our team must sit-up, scale up activities and increase passion for moving the State to another developmental level.”

    Buni urged his commissioners to be more innovative and adaptive to modern ideas for effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of responsibilities.

    He said: “This clearly requires us to reflect on our previous achievements with a view to putting our meager resources in other areas for more impacts on the wellbeing of our people.

    “I believe, both old and new members of the Executive Council, as good Yobeans with interest of the State at heart, are not oblivious of our achievements in various aspects of human endeavour,” he added.

    The Yobe governor said his administration has constructed three mega schools in the three senatorial zones; built new school structures in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and ensured prompt payment of his counterpart obligation, tuition and examination fees for Yobe candidates studying nationwide and abroad.

    To make all parts of the Yobe accessible, Buni said, he is doing construction works on inter-community roads and township roads and drainages to ease the movement of goods and services.

    In the health sector, he said he has provided the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital with modern facilities and upgraded Primary Healthcare centers to General Hospitals.

    He added: “The construction of Geidam and Potiskum Modern markets and the Potiskum Trailer Park are ongoing to enhance commercial activities and revenue generation drive in the State.

    “2600 housing units were constructed and offered for sale on owner-occupier basis to civil servants and other members of the public across the State with a 50 percent discount.

    “We have strengthen local security intelligence, vigilance and vigilante collaboration while strengthening post-insurgency restoration of livelihood in the affected communities.”

    In the Agric sector, he said he is exploiting the full potential of arable land in Yobe, while modernising livestock breeding.

    According to him, he is doing a lot in infrastructure, environment and water resources, while developing vocational skills for entrepreneurship and employment and support for small and medium scale businesses, through facilitation of access to affordable credit to reduce poverty.

    The governor said he expects the retreat to inculcate in his cabinet members financial discipline as required by the Law.

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    “There high expectation from our people for us to maximally deliver with full value of money expended on the conduct of government business.

    “As public office holders, we should maintain observance of prudence, transparency, probity and accountability,” he said.

    Buni assured he will complete all ongoing projects, embark on “essential new ones“ and focus on empowerment to cope with post-insurgency livelihood restoration and the nationwide current challenges of oil subsidy withdrawal and inflationary pressure facing the entire Nigerian citizenry.

    He disclosed he adheres to due process as the guiding principle of his administration in the execution of policies and programmes.