Yobe state Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Abba Idris, has rolled out several billion naira that has been committed to the education sector by the government of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
According to him, Governor Buni pumped so much into the sector because of his belief in the power of education as a key to a prosperous future of his people and the state.
“Today, we are celebrating victory; a victory of the people’s resilience and a victory of an uncommon commitment of a Governor.”
Professor Abba Idris, spoke today, August 29, while presenting Nafisa Garba, Rukayya Mohammed Fema and Khadija Kashim, the winners of the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
The commissioner said: “l am happy to share with you that part of the measures adopted by the Buni administration to revamp the basic education sector include the reconstruction of about 300 schools destroyed by the insurgency, established 15 Mega and Model schools, and eight new Government Girls Senior Secondary Schools to boost girl-child education, procured books, laboratory equipment and other instructional materials.
“The government constructed 627 new classrooms and renovated 448 others, employed over 5,000 new teachers, trained 9,452, constructed 119 staff quarters, procured 85,550 sets of classroom furniture, 2,200 teacher’s furniture, fenced 61 schools to beef up security around primary schools, constructed 178 blocks of toilets and 35 solar-powered boreholes among others.
“l wish to inform this gathering that the state government expended over N4 billion on its school feeding programme for boarding students. This has greatly improved enrolment and checked cases of absenteeism in the schools
“l am also proud to inform you that the Yobe state government has consistently paid for WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and BECE examination fees for our candidates in all public schools across the state with over N3 Billion paid for this year. As of today, Yobe state government is not indebted to any examination body in respect to examination fees.
“In our education investment drive, the state government invested over N2.2billion in scholarships for 890 students at the Nigeria Tulip International College, with Nafisa, Rukayya and Hadiza whom we celebrate at this occasion as part of the beneficiaries.
“Similarly, to ensure uninterrupted power supply in our schools, the state government expended N2.3 billion to provide solar-powered electricity supply in 72 secondary schools.
“Recently, the state government expended N1.923 billion on rehabilitation of GSS Daura, GDSS Damaturu, GSS Jakusko, GSS Geidam, GSTC Nguru, and GGSS Gadaka, while, N1.1 billion was expended on the construction of perimeter fence at GSTC Damagum, GSS Daura, GHIC Nguru, GSS Dagona, and GSS Jakusko, with an additional N750 Million for rehabilitation of 150 Almajiri schools.”
An impressed minister acknowledged that Yobe State government has become a role model among states in the country in the development and promotion of fundational education.
The Minister said: “Yobe state government has prioritized foundational education to fast track the development of education in the state.”
He said that Yobe State’s participation in the competition and emerging as World champions is a pride to Nigeria as a whole.
Dr. Tunji commended the state government, parents and teachers for giving the girls the support that enabled them to excel in the World competition.
The Minister assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firm belief in human capital development and “education has great future for youth in Nigeria.”
The Minister presented the winners with tokens of personal support in appreciation of the girls’ performance in the TeenEagle competition.
