From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, has launched the disbursement of financial incentives to 32,382 girls, a Micro-Enterprise Grant to 1,500 grassroots beneficiaries, and empowerment materials to 340 women across the state.
According to a statement by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Buni disclosed that over ₦1.2 billion was disbursed to 32,382 beneficiaries under the project, which was conceived in partnership with the World Bank in 2024. He noted that the initiative, implemented through the AGILE programme, is already yielding positive results in improving girl-child education in the state.
“This project perfectly aligns with the policy thrust of our administration, which accords topmost priority to the education sector. We believe that education is the foundation for progress and development in every society, and it requires adequate attention, funding, and supervision to succeed,” the Governor stated.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements in the education sector, Buni said, “We have embarked on key reforms which include the massive employment of qualified teachers, training and retraining of teaching staff, reconstruction and renovation of over 5,000 classrooms, establishment of 13 Mega and Model Schools, provision of teaching and learning materials, and the timely payment of WAEC and NECO fees for SS III students of Yobe State origin in all public schools.”
He added that to further promote girl-child education, the government established nine Senior Girls’ Day Secondary Schools across the state to ensure a smooth transition from junior to senior secondary education, thereby reducing dropout rates among girls.
Similarly, Governor Buni launched the disbursement of ₦300 million in Micro-Enterprise Grants to 1,500 beneficiaries from the displaced community of Mallam Dunari in Gujba Local Government Area.
“This intervention demonstrates our administration’s commitment to recovery, stabilization, and durable solutions for communities affected by insurgency, displacement, and economic disruption,” he said. “It complements the massive investments already ongoing in agriculture and infrastructure across Gujba LGA, particularly in Goniri, where the government has constructed a new Primary Health Care Centre, provided motorized boreholes, and installed solar streetlights to enhance security and living standards.”
In addition, the state government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, empowered 340 women selected from the 17 Local Government Areas with various equipment to enhance their livelihoods. Each beneficiary will receive a package consisting of a cooking gas cylinder, micro-oven, mixer, and a bag of flour in commemoration of International Women’s Day to enable them to start small pastry businesses.
Governor Buni advised beneficiaries of the financial incentives, Micro-Enterprise Grants, and conditional cash transfers to utilize the support effectively.
“I urge all beneficiaries to make judicious use of these items and financial interventions to justify the confidence reposed in you, remembering that you are among the lucky few selected out of thousands who need similar assistance,” he said.
Malam Abdullahi Bula, AGILE State Project Coordinator, explained that the financial incentives for 32,382 girls across the 17 LGAs were designed to support female students from economically disadvantaged households and help them stay in school.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Muhammadu Goje, stated that each beneficiary from Mallam Dunari will receive ₦200,000 to restart or expand a micro-enterprise after undergoing business management training.