Today, I declare the 2027 Budget Bilateral Discussions open. May Almighty Allah guide our deliberations and continue to bless Yobe State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Below are some excerpts from my speech:

On Tuesday September 29, 2026. I represented His Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, at the opening of the 2027 Citizens’ Engagement and Budget Dialogue in Damaturu. The dialogue reinforces the Buni administration's commitment to participatory governance by giving citizens, civil society and other stakeholders a meaningful voice in shaping the State’s development priorities. In His Excellency’s address I presented, emphasis was placed on fiscal realism, accountability, value for money and completion of ongoing projects, with the proposed projected ₦437 billion 2027 budget designed to align expenditure with realistic revenues while consolidating development gains across Yobe State. This dialogue further demonstrates Governor Buni’s commitment to a government that listens to its people, plans responsibly and delivers on its priorities. #YobeState #Budget2027 #CitizensEngagement

On the sidelines of #UNGA81 in New York, I had the honour of meeting Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency @KashimSM, GCON. I briefed the Vice President on Yobe State’s investment mission and our engagements aimed at advancing the development agenda of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN. The Vice President expressed his goodwill and conveyed warm regards to the good people of Yobe State. #YobeState #UNGA81 #GovBuni

UNGA 81

Today, on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York, I will speak at the Nigeria at the Nexus programme on “Power Beyond Force: Diaspora, Technology and the New Architecture of National Power.” I will highlight how human capital, technology, diaspora strength and strategic partnerships can advance Nigeria’s development, drawing from the progress being recorded in Yobe State under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni. #UNGA81 #YobeState #NigeriaAtTheNexus #GovBuni

.....…and I asked Aliko Dangote about opportunities for Government to invest in shares as a way of creating sustainable financial security for widows and victims of conflict in the future. Listen to his response....... #UNSTOPPABLEDANGOTE #UNGA81

Happy Birthday to a Father and a Leader HE Sen Ibrahim Geidam Today, I join well wishers to celebrate a father figure and a distinguished political leader whose life of service has left an enduring mark on the development of Yobe State. You have set a clear pace for development, inspired a generation of leaders, and championed a vision of transformation that continues to shape Yobe’s progress and strengthen its place as the pride of the Sahel. On this special occasion, I pray that Almighty Allah continues to bless you with sound health, wisdom, strength, and many more years of purposeful service. May Allah reward your sacrifices, preserve you, and grant you continued grace to witness the fruits of the transformation you have helped inspire. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency. May your new year be filled with greater blessings, fulfilment, and lasting impact.

Alhaji Modu Wagani will be greatly missed. May Allah, in His infinite mercy, accept him among the dwellers of Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. He will be missed not only as a beloved family member, but also as a dedicated educator, community leader, and compassionate servant who chose to return to a community deeply affected by conflict and dedicate himself to supporting the education and wellbeing of returnee children. He led the Model School with remarkable passion and commitment, introducing innovations and continuously seeking ways to improve the learning experience and welfare of the children entrusted to his care. Until his last breath, he stood firmly by these children, inspiring them to believe in a better future despite the challenges they had endured. Alhaji Modu Wagani was deeply passionate about the safety, education, and wellbeing of the children. He never hesitated to bring their concerns to the attention of Government and advocate for the support they deserved. I was always inspired by his determination and conviction that conflict should never be allowed to become a barrier to education, and that displacement should never be permitted to distract children from achieving their dreams. His passing has created a significant vacuum that will be difficult to fill. His dedication, compassion, and service to the children and community will remain an enduring legacy. Alhaji Modu Wagani will be greatly missed, but his impact will live on in the lives of the many children he inspired and served. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds, grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus, and give his family, colleagues, the children he served, and the entire community the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

Yesterday, I received the leadership of the Daya Area Development Association (DADA), led by former Head of Service, Alhaji Dauda Yahaya, on a courtesy visit at my residence. Their visit carried a story worth telling. For more than 40 years, the people of Daya waited for a road connecting their community to neighbouring towns. Today, that wait is over. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, the Fadawa–Daya Road has ended decades of infrastructural isolation. For the people of Daya, this is more than asphalt. It means a farmer can move produce more easily to market, a patient can reach healthcare faster, children and families can travel more safely, and economic and social interaction with neighbouring communities can grow. Most importantly, it gives a community that waited for decades a stronger sense of inclusion in the development of our state. The delegation also presented other community priorities, particularly the reconnection of Daya to the National Grid, an intervention with the potential to stimulate small businesses, create opportunities for young people and strengthen local livelihoods. I conveyed Governor Buni’s appreciation for their confidence and support and assured the delegation that their requests would receive appropriate consideration within available resources and government priorities. This is what inclusive development should ultimately mean: reaching people, connecting communities and ensuring that geography does not determine who benefits from government. #YobeState #GovBuni #InclusiveDevelopment #RuralConnectivity

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE *Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.* With total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of the Makinta of Fika Emirate, an elder statesman and distinguished community leader whose life was marked by service, wisdom and commitment to the development and well-being of his people. I fondly recall our last meeting, when he joined the delegation of the Fika Emirate Council to formally present to me the letter conveying the conferment of the traditional title of Jigon Fika. That encounter has now assumed an even deeper meaning for me. I will continue to cherish the memory of his presence, goodwill, counsel and fatherly disposition on that memorable occasion. His passing is a great loss to his immediate family, the Fika Emirate, his community, Yobe State, and indeed all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. While we mourn his departure, we take consolation in the fact that every soul must return to its Creator and that a life devoted to service leaves memories that endure beyond death. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family; His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa II, CON, CFR, Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers; Fika Emirate; and his entire community. *Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu, wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu.* May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him the highest station in Aljannatul Firdaus. May Allah grant his family, the Fika Emirate and all those mourning him Sabr Jameel and the strength to bear this painful loss. Ameen Ya Rabbal Alamin. Dr. Mohammed Goje, FRSPH Jigon Fika

On Saturday, 5 September 2026, I joined my classmates, teachers, families and friends of Government Senior Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Class of 1996, at a dinner held in my honour in Damaturu. I am deeply humbled by this thoughtful gesture. Nearly three decades after sharing the same classrooms, our reunion was a powerful reminder that titles may come and go, but friendship, shared memories and the values formed in our early years endure. We also remembered our departed classmates and teachers. May Almighty Allah forgive them and grant them Aljannatul Firdaus. Ameen. I sincerely thank the Class of 1996 for this honour and dedicate it to friendship, gratitude and meaningful service to humanity. #Frienship #YobeState

Earlier today, I was represented by Prof Mahmood Bukar Maina at the public presentation and launch of two important scholarly books: Communication, Media and Islam: A Multidisciplinary Reader and Islam and Popular Culture in Nigeria, held at the University of Maiduguri. Prof Mahmood delivered my address and formally presented and launched the books. On my directives Prof Mahmood supported the launch with my personal donation of ₦1 million, while the Yobe State Government Pledged ₦2 million in recognition of the importance of the books, scholarship and knowledge production.

On Saturday, 5 September 2026, I formally received my appointment letter as JIGON FIKA, following the earlier announcement of the traditional title by His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, CON, CFR, Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers. I receive this honour with profound humility and gratitude. Traditional titles represent not only recognition but also the enduring trust of the community and a solemn responsibility to serve with integrity, loyalty and dignity. I sincerely thank His Royal Highness and the Fika Emirate Council for this distinguished honour. I remain committed to upholding the cherished values and traditions of the Emirate and to justifying this confidence through continued service to our people. I dedicate this honour to the people of Yobe State and express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, Executive Governor of Yobe State, for the privilege to serve our state and engage more closely with the communities and institutions that sustain its progress. Public service and community service are inseparable. This title further strengthens my resolve to serve faithfully on both fronts. #JigonFika #FikaEmirate #YobeState

Today, I represented His Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, Executive Governor of Yobe State, at the Yobe Media Summit in Damaturu, themed Harnessing Digital Tools for Community Impact and Engagement. The Summit completed the training of 400 mainstream and community media actors across Yobe’s 17 LGAs. I also conveyed His Excellency’s approval for a second batch of another 400 participants, further expanding this important capacity-building initiative. Our message was clear: government communication must go beyond reporting activities to explaining how policies and projects impact people and communities. Media actors should develop sectoral knowledge, communicate with facts, counter misinformation with evidence, and engage professionally and responsibly. I commend the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, the resource persons from the University of Maiduguri, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu and Yobe State University, as well as the COYAPO team, for the quality and organization of this initiative. #YobeState #GovBuni #YobeMediaSummit #DigitalCommunication