Despite limited resources at his disposal, Buni, while taking the mantle of leadership in his first year tenure, precisely on May 29, 2019, declared a state of emergency in the education, health and many other sectors, with the employment of more qualified teachers and medical personnel.
This is because Yobe has the highest cases of kidney disease or renal failure in the country, as most of the communities on the shores of Yobe/Kumadugu River in northern part of the state suffer most. “It was established in order to address all forms of maternal mortality issues and child health indices in this part of the country. The over one decade Boko Haram crisis has forced millions of our people into displacement.
“As you are also aware of FX, most of the medical consumables are procured from foreign countries, and the average cost of dialysis per patient is about N50, 000, but the state government under the leadership of Governor Buni has graciously approved and directed free dialysis in this hospital”.The journalists also visited the multi billion naira Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre located at the College of Medical Science, Yobe State University.
“Presently, this Centre is operating at its temporary site, but Governor Buni has started constructing the permanent site within the university community which is about 70% completed. Also not left out are roads and drainage construction; in fact, the state government has completed the rehabilitation of key roads such as Katarko-Goniri and Siminti-Godowoli, with ongoing work on the Geidam-Bukarti, Bayamari-Yunusari, and Yunusari-Kanamma roads.
Similarly, Buni expended N3.5 billion to build four Ultra Modern Sesame Seeds Cleansing, Processing and Packaging factories. “As you can see, the one in Machina has been concluded by the contractor , and very soon the other ones would be completed and commissioned by Allah’s grace. Umar noted that, apart from the Gashua market that was named after former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and that of Nguru, named after elder statesman, Sheikh Muhammad Ngibirima, similar markets are sited in Potiskum, Gaidam and Damaturu local government areas.
According to him, attacks of Boko Haram between 2013 and 2023 in the state have reduced to the barest level in conducting various economic activities.