10,000 Youths in Power: APC Hails Buni’s Bold Inclusion Drive in Yobe

By Musa Garba

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State has revealed that Governor Mai Mala Buni has appointed no fewer than 10,000 young people into key leadership roles across his administration, in what the party described as a landmark move toward inclusive governance.

On Friday in Damaturu, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, made the disclosure during the 2026 Yobe Leadership and Innovation Summit. Gadaka, who was represented by Mohammed Gulani, said the appointments cut across strategic positions, including members of the State Executive Council, heads of boards and parastatals, as well as special advisers, focal persons, and senior special assistants.

According to him, the appointments underscore the governor’s deliberate effort to empower young people and integrate them into decision-making processes within government.

He added that, beyond political appointments, over 400 youths had also benefited from foreign scholarships under the state’s Recovery Through Education and Scholarship (RETES) initiative, a program designed to rebuild human capital and expand opportunities for the younger generation.

Speaking at the summit, convened by the Centre for Leadership and Good Governance, Damaturu, its chief convener, Alhaji Baba Shehu, commended Governor Buni for what he described as a courageous commitment to youth inclusion, despite initial resistance from entrenched political interests.

Shehu urged future leaders in the state to sustain the inclusive governance model, noting that the policy had strengthened institutions and fostered a new generation of capable leaders. He added that the performance of the appointees across various sectors demonstrated their capacity and justified the confidence reposed in them.

Also contributing, the state commissioner for basic education, Dr Abba Adam, emphasised the critical role of young people in national development, describing youth as a driving force behind societal progress.

He noted that nations that prioritise youth development often record rapid growth, citing global examples of how investments in young populations have translated into sustainable development.

In a similar vein, stakeholders at the event called on the beneficiaries of the governor’s inclusive policies to justify the opportunity by demonstrating loyalty, discipline and commitment to public service.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Road Traffic Management Agency (YOROTA), Bature Goniri, disclosed that the appointees had collectively resolved to support candidates endorsed by Governor Buni in the forthcoming state and National Assembly elections.

He described the governor’s youth-focused governance model as a reference point not only for Yobe but for other states across the country, noting that it has redefined participation and leadership among young people in public service.

GADA Hails Yobe’s Top Audit Ranking, Commends Accountant-General’s Drive for Transparency

By Jamila Muhammad

The Gulani Area Development Association (GADA) has congratulated the Yobe State Government over its impressive performance in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index, describing the achievement as a strong endorsement of the state’s commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources.

In a congratulatory message, GADA particularly praised the Accountant-General of Yobe State for the role played in strengthening financial discipline and institutional accountability, following the state’s emergence among the top three best-performing states in Nigeria in the latest audit ranking.

The association said the recognition reflects the steady progress Yobe has made in public financial management and transparent governance, noting that the development has further enhanced the state’s reputation as one of the leading examples of good governance in the country.

GADA’s National President, Alhaji Mohammed Shuaibu Gulani, said the feat was not only a source of pride for Yobe people but also proof that responsible leadership and sound administrative systems can deliver measurable results.

According to him, the ranking shows the impact of deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening public sector auditing and ensuring that government resources are managed in a way that benefits citizens.

He said the achievement has positioned Yobe as a benchmark for other states seeking to improve transparency, accountability and institutional performance.

“Your dedication to strengthening institutional frameworks and ensuring prudent management of public resources has not only brought honour to Yobe State but has also positioned it as a model for other states across the federation,” he said.

GADA also prayed for greater success for the state’s financial management team, expressing hope that the momentum would be sustained in the interest of good governance and development.

The association described the honour as well deserved and urged public officials across the state to build on the recognition by deepening reforms that promote accountability, efficiency and public trust.

Buni employs 416 nurses, midwives to boost Yobe’s healthcare delivery

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has approved the immediate employment of 416 nurses and midwives to boost healthcare delivery services in the state.

According to him, the over 400 health workers are graduands of the Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Sciences (SSCNS), Damaturu.

Buni unveiled the automatic engagements of health workers on Wednesday at the official graduation ceremony of student nurses and midwives held in Damaturu.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, disclosed: “The state government’s investments in the health sector were to meet manpower requirements of hospitals and other health facilities across the state.

Gubana noted that the health workers’ employment initiatives are consistent and aligned with the health sector reforms to boost the delivery of healthcare to the people in rural communities.

Citing the College of Nursing in rural healthcare delivery, the Deputy Governor stated, “Government’s investment in the College over the past seven years had proven worthwhile, impactful, and beneficial to people living in rural and urban centres of the state.”

According to him, the state government has, in recent years, employed more than 3,500 healthcare workers, with many graduates of the college among the beneficiaries.

“You are to train adequate, qualified, and professional manpower at the health facilities, including the Specialists Hospitals at Damaturu, Potiskum and Buni-Yadi,” he charged the College authorities.

Gubana further explained that the Buni administration had deliberately invested in the health sector to ensure what he described as functional, efficient, and effective healthcare services to the people at the grassroots.

He added that, in a bid to address healthcare challenges, the government established a world-class Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at the Yobe State University (YSU), where its permanent site was commissioned last year to promote research and the training of young scientists in the state.

Gubana, therefore, assured the college management that the state government would consider all its requests in addressing the issues raised, pledging continued support to make the institution a leading health training centre in Nigeria.

He also commended the outgoing provost of the college, Hajiya Hadiza Sabo, for successfully completing her two-term tenure and for leading a management team that has set high standards of academic excellence.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr Mohammed Lawan Gana, stated that the state emerged as the best-performing in primary healthcare delivery in Nigeria, based on an independent survey conducted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum under the Federal Government’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

He said that the state, therefore, clinched a $1.2 million (N1.68 billion) prize in 2025.

The College Provost, Hajiya Hadiza Sabo, revealed that between 2019 and 2026, the college graduated 1,485 students, where all of them received automatic employment upon completing their studies.

She noted that this has significantly improved the recruitment process, deployment, and retention of healthcare personnel in the state.

She added that the graduated nurses and midwives comprise 158 community nurses, 196 basic nurses and midwives, and 62 Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates in nursing from the college.