Yobe Secures $5m World Bank Grant to Power Hospitals, Schools with Solar

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Government has secured a $5 million World Bank grant, estimated at N7 billion, to provide solar-powered electricity to six major health and educational institutions across the state.

The intervention, which will deliver rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, is expected to improve power supply in key public institutions and reduce the burden of unreliable electricity and rising diesel costs.

Announcing the development in Damaturu over the weekend, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Energy, Dr Mustapha Abba Geidam, said the funding followed a partnership championed by Governor Mai Mala Buni between the Federal Rural Electrification Agency (FREA) and the World Bank.

He stated that the project aims to enhance service delivery in vital sectors, particularly health and education, while promoting sustainable development in the state.

According to him, the institutions selected to benefit from the project include Specialist and General Hospitals in Potiskum, Buni-Yadi, Geidam and Nguru, as well as Umar Suleiman College of Education, Nguru, and Yobe State University, Damaturu.

Dr Geidam explained that the project is aimed at addressing the persistent power challenges affecting the institutions, noting that many of them currently depend on multiple diesel-powered generators to function.

He said the poor and unstable electricity supply has continued to affect healthcare delivery and learning activities, adding that the installation of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems would provide a cleaner, more dependable and more affordable energy source.

He noted that the new solar systems would provide more reliable services, cut operational expenses, and contribute to environmental sustainability in the state.

The permanent secretary also mentioned that the project was based on a thorough study of feasibility and energy needs, which indicated that most of the chosen facilities are suitable for installing solar panels on their roofs, while ground-mounted systems will be used where needed.

He added that the full project proposal had already been formally submitted to the managing director and chief executive officer of YOREA, Engr Abba Aliyu, for immediate consideration and implementation.

The government described the project as another major step in its drive to improve public infrastructure and expand access to clean energy, saying the initiative reflects Governor Buni’s commitment to transforming Yobe’s energy sector and improving the living conditions of residents.

Yobe also expressed his appreciation to the World Bank and the Rural Electrification Agency for their support, while pledging full commitment to the successful execution of the project.

Yobe Elevates 1,700 Teachers in Major Boost to Education Sector

By Aliyu Sani, Damaturu

The Yobe State Teachers’ Service Board (TSB) has made a significant move to strengthen the quality of education by approving the promotion of 1,700 teachers across various ranks.

Alhaji Yakubu Dokshi, the Executive Chairman of the board, made the announcement following a management meeting on Tuesday in Damaturu.

Dokshi clarified that the promotion exercise aimed to acknowledge diligent teachers who have exhibited dedication and exceptional performance in their roles.

He noted that acknowledging such efforts would not only motivate educators but also improve teaching standards and students’ academic performance across public schools in the state.

According to him, investing in teachers is a critical step toward revitalising the education sector and ensuring better learning outcomes.

“Improving the welfare and career progression of teachers plays a key role in enhancing the overall performance of our schools,” he stated.

The TSB chairman also praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his consistent support toward educational development in Yobe.

He said the administration’s policies continue to reflect a strong determination to reposition the sector and build a more skilled and knowledgeable population.

Similarly, the board’s secretary, Mohammed ibn Musa, commended the governor for placing education and teachers’ welfare at the forefront of government priorities.

In the same vein, the Director of Personnel Management, Umar Haruna, congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

The director called on the promoted teachers to remain disciplined, punctual, and committed to delivering quality education in their respective schools.

Haruna further stressed the need for professionalism and dedication, noting that teachers play a vital role in shaping communities and future generations.

He added that the promotion would inspire greater commitment, foster creativity in teaching, and enhance overall productivity within the education sector.

FG Distributes 9,500 Tons of Food to 42,000 Vulnerable Residents in Yobe

By Njadavara Musa, Damaturu

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has distributed about 9,500 tons of food items to more than 42,000 vulnerable residents in Yobe State as part of efforts to address hunger and economic hardship.

The intervention, carried out under the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention Programme, aims to support communities affected by poverty, conflict and rising food insecurity across the country.

Speaking during the presentation of truckloads of food items to the state government at the Government House in Damaturu on Thursday, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, said the initiative was designed to provide urgent relief to vulnerable populations.

According to him, the programme is part of the Federal Government’s response to the growing humanitarian challenges facing northern Nigeria.

“The massive distribution of food to vulnerable populations is aimed at addressing hunger, malnutrition and poverty while supporting those most at risk,” Sununu said.

He noted that the combined effects of prolonged insurgency and climate change have worsened poverty levels and increased the cost of living, particularly in northern states. The minister added that the intervention targets communities severely affected by over a decade of conflict in the North-East.

The food distribution exercise is being coordinated by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria to ensure the items reach intended beneficiaries.

Sununu explained that the programme is intended to cushion the economic hardship faced by residents, especially during the Ramadan fasting period.

He further stated that the initiative prioritises internally displaced persons in camps and host communities, returning families, female-headed households, malnourished children, the elderly and persons living with disabilities.

The minister also emphasised that the intervention aligns with the broader strategy of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen social protection systems, enhance community resilience and support a gradual transition from emergency relief to sustainable livelihoods.

Items distributed during the first phase of the programme include bags of rice, beans, millet, maize and other grains, as well as cooking oil, tomato paste, seasoning cubes and salt.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, said the programme is aimed at reducing food insecurity and addressing nutrition-related challenges in the most vulnerable northern states.

He observed that several states in the region, including Yobe, have been severely affected by conflict and other humanitarian crises.

Olusanya urged the state government and relevant stakeholders to ensure strict coordination and accountability during the distribution process to guarantee transparency and ensure the food items reach vulnerable households across the state.