Yobe State

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has lost an appeal challenging the candidacy of Bashir machina.

On Monday, November 28, 2022, the Court of Appeal sitting at Abuja affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court sitting at Damaturu in Yobe State.

The court held that Bashir machina is the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Yobe North Senatorial District and not Ahmad Lawan.

Honourable Justice Monica Dongban-Mansen, who presided over a three-member panel, gave the judgement in an appeal brought to the court by Ahmad Lawan.

Lawan had appealed the decision of the Federal High Court Damaturu. In the appeal, he requested that the appellate court should declare him the legitimate flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress for the upcoming senatorial election.

The Court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Following their conviction on a two-count charge, the Nigerian Army fired two soldiers assigned to the 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State.

Lt. Col. Ibrahim Abdullahi Osabo, the acting commanding officer of the battalion, stated that the accused were found guilty on two counts: failing to complete military responsibilities and acting in a way that jeopardized service discipline.

Before being completely dismissed the suspects had their ranks downgraded from lance corporal to private.

Remember that after allegedly killing a renowned Islamic cleric named Sheikh Goni Aisami in cold blood, Yobe State police detained Lance Corporal John Gabriel with service number N/A13/69/1522 and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon with service number N/A13/70/6552, both assigned to 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Hundreds of people have clamoured for the immediate prosecution of the two suspected killers of a Yobe-based Islamic cleric, who are alleged to be personnel of the Nigerian army.

The news of Sheikh Goni Aisami’s murder went viral at the weekend and threw thousands of people to express shock and outrage at such a significant loss in the country, especially to the Muslim North.

 Reports from Yobe indicate that Aisami was gunned down Friday at about 10 pm while en route to Gashua from Nguru after he gave a lift to one Lcpl John Gabriel.

 DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesman of the Yobe Police Command, said the suspect claimed to be a soldier attached to 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru.

Gabriel bites the hand that fed him

Abdulkarim stated, “Aisami was driving his car to Gashua from Nguru when the principal suspect, who was in mufti and carrying a camp bed, pleaded with him for a lift to Jaji-Maji.

“On approaching Jaji-Maji, the cleric stopped the car to urinate,” he said, adding that as soon as he returned to continue the journey, the principal suspect brought out an AK-47 and shot him twice to death.

Abdulkarim further stated that the suspect tried to run away with the Sheikh’s car but failed, as it got stuck in the mud and the vehicle could not start.

“He put a call through to the second suspect, who drove another vehicle to the scene. Unfortunately for him, his drive shaft broke.

“The two suspects then requested help from a vigilance group in Jaji-Maji. When the group arrived at the scene to tow the broken down vehicles, incidentally, Aisami’s body was found at the scene,” he added.

‘It’s so traumatic; bring perpetrators to book’

A lecturer with Bayero University, Kano, Malam Aliyu Yakubu Aliyu, who expressed deep concern, said the development was deplorable.

He said, “It is very unfortunate to have read that the security personnel were the people involved in this criminality. Their job is to protect lives, not to take them.

“Often, the security personnel at different levels hatch in plotting to do unlawful things in various places, including schools and banks,” Aliyu decried.

A Kano cleric, Sheikh Abdussalam Baban-Gwale, decried the traumatic incident, calling on the government to exercise justice.

He said, “Government should ensure social justice and security in the country. Back in February this year, we were also attacked by unknown gunmen on our way to Bauchi from Jos.

“Often, society does not know about the end story of such criminals. Government should, therefore, ensure their prosecutions public to help end criminality in the country.”

In a Facebook post, a security analyst, Barrister Audu Bulama Bukarti, called on the government to prosecute the people behind the killing of Sheikh Aisami.

Goni Aisami’s murder regrettable – Gov Buni

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has expressed sadness over the murder of the Sheikh and commiserated with the family over the loss.

In a statement issued in Damaturu by his Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni described the circumstances surrounding the murder as sad, regrettable and most unfortunate.

“The alleged circumstances surrounding the death are most unfortunate and will be investigated thoroughly. [The] government will ensure that every detail is investigated and anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.

“The state government will work closely with the security agencies to unravel every detail to ensure justice is done,” he said.

Buni also called on the residents to remain calm and law-abiding as an ongoing investigation would be pursued to its logical conclusion.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

No fewer than 500 farmers have benefited from the agricultural component distributed by the Yobe State Government Sunday in the Jarere Community of the state.

The state government had described the distribution as part of its early recovery response project in the state.

Flagging off the distribution Sunday, Dr Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed that each of the beneficiaries would go home with a knapsack, sprayer, liquid fertiliser, herbicide, bean seeds, sorghum seeds, hand gloves and facemasks.

Reports disclosed that the 500 beneficiaries were identified by Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) through community-based selection.

It was gathered that the 500 beneficiaries included 400 men farmers and 100 female farmers of the community. 

However, the beneficiaries applauded the state government for identifying their community, Jajere, among the benefiting communities.

By Tijani Hassan

A corps member serving at Al-Furqan Learners’ Academy, Potiskum, Yobe State, has trained and empowered twenty widows on fashion design and tailoring skills in an effort to eliminate poverty and unemployment amongst women in the society.

The corps member, Chidimma Atuchukwu Obiageliaku, who hails from Anambra State, said the gesture was born out of her passion and desire to assist the vulnerable and less privileged in society.

The Commissioning and Presentation Ceremony held on Thursday, 30 June 2022, at the school premises,  witnessed the presentation of certificates, wrappers, sewing materials and seven new sewing machines to the trainee widows. This came after 6 six weeks of intensive dress-making training and other entrepreneurial skills.

Other projects initiated by the Corps member included renovating and stocking a 40-seater school library to boost students’ learning capacity. She said, “whenever you read a book, it equips you with the knowledge and power to become whoever you aspire to be”, hence, donating the library to the school to equip the students to become great in the future.

In his welcome address, the School Director, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, represented by Alhaji Suleiman Dauda, commended all the Corps members serving under his watch and specifically the project initiator Chidimma. He added that she was the first of her kind to execute a project of this considerable repute.

The state Coordinator of NYSC Yobe State, Hajiya Hafsat Yerima, represented by the Head of Community Development Service, CDS, Mr Abimbola Akin, expressed her satisfaction with the project carried out by the Corps member and hinted that the state would never forget her in a hurry while urging other Corp members to emulate her good gesture.

In his contribution, the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, represented by the Head of Digital and Visual Library of the College, Mallam Abubakar Hassan, explained that education is the bedrock of every meaningful society which deserves the contribution of all stakeholders.

Hassan, on behalf of FCE (T), Potiskum donated a reasonable number of textbooks to the school as part of their contribution to the project.

The benefiting widows, who were highly pleased, thanked the Corps member for the humanitarian support. The leader of the widows, Mrs Ladi, said the training is a lifetime investment that has transformed their lives beyond imagination. She prayed to Almighty God to grant their benefactor success in her future endeavours.

Other attendees included the Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education, Yobe State, Dr Muhammad Sani Idris, representative of the Emir of Fika, His Royal Highness (Dr.) Muhammadu Idrissa Ibn Abbali, Humanitarian organisations, parents and students.

In his closing remarks, the School Director thanked the initiator of the projects and the sponsors and offered her automatic and pensionable employment with accommodation and other benefits after her National Service.

The Community Development Service is one of the key components of the NYSC, designed to have a beneficial influence on the lives of the host community.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

Yobe State students across Nigeria were left with questions about the silence of the Yobe state scholarship board and the state government itself. The students filled out all the requirements and paid money to complete the registration. Since then, not even a cough, nobody has heard from the scholarship board. The students gave different excuses for the board until things reached a confusing level.

Meanwhile, the Yobe state government has not yet released any information about the scholarship board. His Excellence, Mai Mala Buni, as executive governor, and be seen as responsible for all matters around the state in Yobe and should have to call upon the board and question them about the approved funds for the scholarship. Still, the views turned out to be different. 

However, the students are in high demand for scholarships to cover some of their academic programs. Even if there is any problem, the board or state ministry of finance should release a statement to convince the students and acknowledge their whereabouts.

The school tuition fees are rapidly increasing because of the current economic impact on Nigeria. Some students look forward to the scholarship as a means to support them in one way or another. Silence is never an answer because the past administration has never failed the students in paying scholarships.

The one thousand-dollar question is: where do the good people of Yobe donate the funds meant for fostering the state’s educational sector in the form of an educational appeal fund?

Therefore, It is a good idea for the government of Yobe State to form a high-powered committee laden with a task to look after the issues pending.

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe state.

By Umar Yahaya

Yobe North has been blessed with the representation of an experienced lawmaker, Distinguished Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, a fourth times senator and President of the Senate, who is now seeking support and collaboration to replace Buhari as the President in the forthcoming election. I wish him the best this journey has to offer; he possesses all the requirements to be President.

However, in the epoch-making election (2023), the Yobe North requires an experienced person to represent it in the tenth (10) Senate. So we are in the stage of opening a new chapter. Of all the contenders, only Abba Sarki possessed the qualifications, wisdom, brilliance, prudence and knowledge to represent it. I’m not embroidering anything here; it’s based on records, facts and figures. In a democratic setting, when someone presents himself for an elective office, the expectations are simple; what are your public or private sectors records and experiences? What have you done to people and your community before? What makes you a credible and right candidate for the position? These can allow us to put you on a scale and measure your weight and whether you deserve our vote and support.

Going by these, I would say Abba deserved to fly the APC flag. He has knowledge and expertise, rising to Director of Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development and recently retired. A graduate of Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He knows and understands what it entails to be an administrator and manage resources. As the saying goes, “Good laws do not make themselves”. It requires inputs of time, lots of information, selection of what is based for the people, and articulating them into laws for the country’s benefit and its progress and development. I am confident he can perform well and do a great thing as he did before he retired from civil service. 

His public service understanding and knowledge give him more advantage over other contenders. He would sustain what was started by the current senator and consolidate the gains achieved. He inspired hope for a better tomorrow and representation. He would do a great job when given the mandate. In an ideal environment, a merit leadership position is your capacity and foresight, the vision and goals you have for the people. He has these attributes. 

In records, Abba Sarki facilitated projects as a Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture to our communities; it is visible. No one would dispute or deny this, from the construction of roads in Nguru, Machina and Karasuwa Local Governments, rehabilitation of infrastructure, specifically, Nguru Abattoir to an ultra-modern facility, drilling boreholes and provision of solar energy to both rural and urban communities. Facilitated training of youth and women in various skills such as fisheries and animal rearing.

In his desire to bring change and development to our communities, he helps in employment our people in different government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These are what make him stand out as the best for the job. Anyone who can’t show what he has done before seeking an elective office doesn’t deserve to present himself for any office or our vote. Politics is all about getting what is best for your people.

What is needed for the APC, His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and Zonal APC stakeholders to allow for free, fair, and credible primary elections. Our people deserved the best. A zone that produced the President of the Senate requires a man with better qualifications, experiences and connections. His representation would give an equal opportunity, do a great job and wanders for his people, state and country.    

My prayers and hopes are that Abba Sarki is given a chance to represent us. He would command respect from his peers. He is charismatic, calm, kind, a beacon of hope, bold, hardworking, and committed to seeing our societies’ progress and development.

Let’s do it together.

Let’s change the narratives.

We deserve better.

We inspired hope.

New Vision.

Umar Yahaya wrote from Hausari Ward, Nguru, Yobe via umarnguru2015@gmail.com.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

Since 1999, the people of Yobe have continued to give mandates to the ruling party, what is now known as the All Progressive Congress (APC), hoping that their lives will be better on all fronts- particularly in the education sector. Unfortunately, the Yobe education sector is known to be one of the worst in the nation. This is manifested by a legacy of dilapidated blocks of classrooms, a lack of laboratories; a lack of teachers; no teacher promotions, and the list goes on. 

With the emergence of Mai-Mala Buni as the Governor in 2019, he, on the inaugural date, in the most dramatic manner, convinced the nation that the education sector in Yobe is rotten-Yes, rotten! He declared what was known as an “emergency” in the sector. He announced his aim and gathered a committee to work out a plan for the sector. Millions of naira were spent on meetings, travel, and photography on a matter that a single administrative circular could have solved. 

Two years into the administration of Buni, not a single milestone was made in the education sector. The State Basic Education Board could not recruit trackers, teachers’ promotions stalled, teachers’ salaries were mutilated, and the hardworking principal of secondary schools was bullied by the business that leads the ministry of education. The sad news continues, and the peak was the video of Fika Government Secondary School that rattled the government. One could ask, what exactly is the problem? Is Buni the problem, or is his team at the peak of insubordination?

One of the most dramatic events that put the Yobe education sector in the spot was the case of the Buni Foreign Scholarship Scheme (BFSS), a scheme managed by a few of Buni’s trusted men. BFSS is characterised by poor stipend payment, poor academic quality, etc. Today, the BFSS is still a problem that will continue to make the Buni government unpopular and give the opposition a chance to punch the APC hard.

The local scholarship allowance is also an area where there is a hitched to pin network of students and their families to dispense protest votes against Buni and give the upper hand to opposition parties like the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). It was only last week when NNPP moved to consolidate its gains by inviting Stand Up and Be Involved (SUBI) to adopt its party and contest all elections. Should this partnership work as planned, the APC will likely experience the most effective and fierce opposition in its history in Yobe State. 

The local scholarship allowance payment has been epileptic, inconsistent, and marred by a lack of competence in leadership. One can quickly note that this administration has provided the most inexperienced and inefficient leadership of the board in the history of Yobe. No one knows if the Yobe State Scholarships Board (YSSB) has adequate access to its budgetary allocations. If, in any case, it has access to funds, who can defend Buni or his proxy at the head of the YSSB for the lack of payment of local scholarship allowances? An act that even the military administration did well in Yobe! 

One might wonder if paying for local scholarships was related to the massive fund-raising effort for the 2023 elections. It is terrific, and only in APC’s Yobe State one can find people heading a government parastatal that failed to perform in contesting elections. Does this mean that Buni is impressed with the performance of the scandal-marred YSSB? 

Buni needs to know that there is significant dissatisfaction with his administration and team. Everything that the government does seems suspicious such as the maiden Education Appeal Fund, where billions of Naira were accumulated. Whether Buni knew or knew not, there is speculation on the ground that the education fund was a cover to grasp financial muscles to fight for the 2023 elections. Whether true or political, this sentiment makes up the opposition, and the chances to pin the people against the APC are high. It has always been easy to blackmail a government that cares less about its spending, budget performance, and revenue base. 

It is, however, clear that whatever sterling personal qualities a governor may have, of which Buni has many, the chances of failure can be significant. The popular opinion is that Buni is highly unlikely to succeed with his existing team. Buni must change gears and relate to reality on the ground and begin to listen to others rather than his yes-men. Those who tell him that he is always right even when he is wrong—for no one can always be right. We are calling for Buni to search for a new effective team should the 2023 election tide blow in his favour. Whereas the YSSB Chairman has a dual and conflicting constituency that rests with the constituents to decide. Ultimately, the YSSB has failed the children of the poor. 

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State via kasimimuhd1999@gmail.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari.

The Government of Yobe State has distributed laptops to facilitate learning for indigenes of the state at the Nigerian Law School. 

The laptops were distributed to the students through the office of Yobe’s State Scholarship Board on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. 

Maimu Giwa, one of the beneficiaries, disclosed told The Daily Reality that the government also promised them school fees but was constrained due to a lack of funds. 

“But initially, the plan was that the laptops would be given to us along with school fees and wardrobe allowance, but due to financial issues, they only gave us some part of the money, and that was since November last year,” she said.

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

It is socially impertinent how the vulnerable youths in the Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, have succumbed to excessive drug abuse and addiction without realizing how dangerous it could be for their lives, mental health, and what they uphold shortly.

The increase in drug abuse has become a subject that needs actual consideration and drastic action to combat its rapid growth among youths. Potiskum is the epicentre of carrying out various business and educational matters. It has been the giant pillar of Yobe State regarding population and contributions to con-constant revenue generation and youth engagement towards persuading education for the future. 

But on the other hand, the locality is enveloped with thousands of dumped youths who have chosen drug abuse and are helplessly living around some areas of the town. They hardly work for themselves, and even if they did, the credit is artfully exhausted on hard drugs, thereby keeping them unconscious and capable of being involved in any act of immorality.

However, I noticed that some of them have unintentionally become addicted to sedative drugs due to unemployment. I’ve been seeing them in a place where they hide out and observe this deadly menace. I had an informative interview with one of them, who told me about the main ingredient that drove him to such activity.

Nonetheless, the most significant point here is to draw the attention of the government and public agencies with the responsibility of fighting against any felonious acts that can socially affect society. Both parties should immediately intervene to curb the growth of drug consumption and find a lasting solution.

The government should provide job opportunities for the youths, support them with funds to raise a small business scale, and educate them. Providing efficient job opportunities can securely remove the most vulnerable youths from illegal acts. It will also keep them from sabotaging government and public properties, thereby decreasing the crime rates in the town or the state at large. 

Nevertheless, those drug abuse victims urgently need government or private agencies’ support with funds or facilities to grow a local business or enrol them in schools. The majority of them dropped out of school due to insufficient funding and parental support. 

Furthermore, the Federal Agencies in charge of controlling drug abuse and illegal consumption should stand firm in their determination to conduct secret general patrols, seize any hard drugs, and send any guilty person to a correctional facility.

Regardless, it is very harmful to society and the government to spare those victims without any necessary security intervention. If such illegal drug consumption continues to grow among the population, the children will believe that nothing is wrong with dealing with hard drugs. Moreover, the government may find controlling the kids’ law-breaking mentality challenging.

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe state via kasimimuhd1999@gmail.com.