Yobe hosts meeting to launch revamped ward development program

In a significant step towards enhancing grassroots development and socioeconomic advancement in the state, the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali, warmly welcomed numerous stakeholders to the State High-Level Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting dedicated to the Renewed Hope Ward Development Program (RHWDP).

Addressing the attendees, which included the Speaker, state lawmakers, party officials, and local government Chairmen, Wali highlighted the program’s pivotal role in fostering inclusive governance. He reiterated that the RHWDP, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2025, aims to provide direct and transparent support to approximately 10 million economically active Nigerians spread across the 8,809 wards in Nigeria.

Following the federal approval, Yobe State Governor Dr. Mai Mala Buni, has initiated the program’s implementation in the state, currently setting up coordination structures and preparing for the enrolment of beneficiaries. Wali emphasized the necessity for an equitable and consultative enrolment process, revealing that stakeholders’ engagement at the ward level remains crucial.

The meeting served to clarify roles and expectations, garner necessary support, and ensure a credible enrolment exercise anticipated to commence shortly across Yobe State’s 178 wards. Wali urged collaboration among stakeholders to realize the state’s vision of poverty reduction, economic inclusion, and sustainable development.

As participants left the meeting, a sense of commitment and responsibility filled the gathering, setting the stage for a productive engagement aimed at lifting the collective aspirations of the people of Yobe State. The officials expressed optimism about the positive impact the RHWDP will bring to their communities, marking a new chapter in the state’s development journey.

The Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), Alhaji Baba Shehu, in a presentation at the meeting, provided an overview of the programme to enhance understanding and guide effective implementation.

Shehu stressed that stakeholders are critical to the successful implementation of the RHWDP, noting that the Yobe coordination office has made significant progress in its preparedness, including the completion of the distribution of target beneficiaries for the pilot enrolment through an equitable and inclusive process.

COURTESY: Independent