From Yusuf Bukar Biriri, Damaturu
Friday, 20th Dec, 2024
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, today delivered an end-of-year address to members of the press, highlighting the state government’s accomplishments in various sectors and outlining plans for the future.
Buni, represented by his Deputy Idi Barde Gubana, commended the dedication and commitment of members of the press, acknowledging their crucial role in keeping the public informed about the state’s progress. He assured them that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the media to exercise their duties.
The Governor expressed gratitude to government workers and functionaries for their contributions to the state’s achievements in 2024. He noted that despite economic challenges, the state made significant investments in healthcare, education, agriculture, wealth creation, and road construction.
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He explained that “Yobe State won $500,000 in the primary healthcare leadership challenge for states in the North-East sub-region. The state also achieved 100% payment of hazard allowances and adjusted CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales for healthcare workers”.
“The state launched the largest agricultural empowerment support program, spending N15.3 billion on farm implements and inputs for 5,340 farmers across 178 wards.
The government procured 475 modern sewing and embroidery machines, distributed 350 disability tricycles, and provided cash grants to micro and small entrepreneurs”.
On water supply, he added that the state awarded contracts for the conversion of 170 motorized boreholes to solar systems and drilled boreholes in major towns while on road construction, the government constructed and rehabilitated hundreds of kilometres of roads, including the Damaturu-Kalallawa dual carriage road and the Gujba-Ngalda road.
Buni assured the people of Yobe State that the government would continue to work towards making life more meaningful for them in 2025 and beyond. He emphasized the importance of strengthening security and improving the overall well-being of citizens.
The Governor’s address concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards the development of Yobe State.
Earlier speaking, Abdullahi Bego, Commissioner of Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, expressed delight at the milestone end-of-year press briefing event.
Bego expresses deepest gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor Hon Mai Mala Buni CON Chiroman Gujba, ably represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, for sparing the time to address this distinguished gathering of our state’s press and media community.
“This is the first time in as many years that His Excellency himself would avail us the opportunity to address this kind of end-of-year gathering”.
“I also want to thank His Excellency for what he continues to do on behalf of the people of the state to advance the causes that his administration always stands for – improving the people’s living conditions; ensuring the protection of people’s lives and property; and putting together the necessary building blocks that would ensure the prosperity and well-being of the people of the state.
“It is this nexus – this symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship – that should provide for a harmonious working relationship between the government and all its branches and the media as the fourth estate of the realm.
On behalf of His Excellency the executive governor and the Yobe State Government, therefore, I want to extend my profound appreciation to the entire membership of Yobe’s media and journalism community for your partnership with the state government over the years and for what you have continued to do as stakeholders and active participants in Yobe’s peace, security and prosperity.
“That Yobe State and indeed Nigeria as a whole cannot thrive and make any meaningful progress without peace and security and the participation of all citizens requires that the media always focuses attention on what brings the people together rather than what sets them apart. It follows, as a corollary, that media professionals, therefore, have a duty and an obligation to produce content that promotes the peace, security and development of our state as a major plank of their editorial and journalistic exertions.
“Thankfully, this is something that members of the press community here are already doing and that I am confident they will continue to do.
“I am confident that with your support, the Yobe State Government, under the charismatic and indefatigable leadership of His Excellency Gov. Mai Mala Buni, in the months and years ahead, will continue to reach the even more milestones and make an even bigger impact in the lives of the people of the state.
In his remarks, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Yobe State Council Comrade Rajab Muhammad Isma’il appreciate government efforts for providing an enabling environment for journalists to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He further reassured that the existing working Synergy between government and media would be sustained for the progress and development of the state.
Comrade Rajab called on journalists to be guided by ethics and professionalism while carrying out their duties.
