By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Sincerely, no mention of His Excellency Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, Executive Governor of Yobe State is complete without immediately recalling his impact on Yobe and Nigerian politics.
According to Khalid Muhammad Bello who is the National President of Kulen Allah Cattles Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), there is no exaggeration in saying that Governor Buni is among those exceptional leaders blessed by the Almighty Allah with rare gift of leadership qualities.
These qualities, he revealed, enabled him to perform excellently as Governor of Yobe State, and also played an extraordinary role as APC National Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee during the last administration.
The impact of Governor Buni’s administration has touched hundreds of thousands, even millions of people in Yobe State.
He promoted the sector by purchasing and distributing tractors, harvesters, hundreds of tonnes of fertilizer and other farm inputs – freely or at highly subsidized rates. This greatly boosted agricultural production across the state.
He created a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development and appointed hardworking, reliable commissioners based purely on merit, including the Commissioner for Agriculture.
The governor has transformed business/commercial activities by building modern markets across major towns. This has positioned Yobe as a strategic commercial hub of the North East, especially with the Gago Airport expected to operate fully soon.
Buni has lifted Yobe from being perceived as “educationally backward” to competing with the most advanced states. The state now ranks among the best in terms of modern education. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of youths and women have been empowered through direct employment and capital grants to start businesses.
Obviously Governor Buni has become one of Nigeria’s most recognized political icons. He was appointed by two APC Presidents to serve the party nationally: as APC Caretaker Chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari, of blessed memory, and currently as Chairman, Party Internal Conflict Reconciliation Committee by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCON.
“Based on our critical assessment of Governor Buni’s 7th anniversary, KACRAN stands firm that he has performed wonderfully well in almost all spheres of human endeavour – Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Job Creation, etc.”
In national politics, he has proven to be the “Limanin Sulhu” of Nigerian politics, skillfully using his oratory wisdom to reconcile political differences within the party.
KACRAN optimistically believes that Governor Buni’s 7th anniversary is worthy of celebration not only by the good people of Yobe State who are the direct beneficiaries of his people-oriented policies and programmes, but also by APC, the ruling party which he served sincerely and with commitment to keep its members united and ready to solve Nigeria’s security, economic and social problems.
