Governor Buni: A Leader Who Works Even on Sundays

Governor Buni: A Leader Who Works Even on Sundays

By Yusuf Ali

Sundays are traditionally known as days of rest—an opportunity for hardworking leaders to recharge after long, exhausting weeks of service. For most people, it is a time to slow down. But for His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, rest is secondary to service. His sense of duty to the people of Yobe State continues to take precedence, even on days when the world expects him to rest.

Take, for example, his activities on Saturday. The Governor embarked on an energy-sapping inspection of two critical infrastructural projects: the Damaturu Flyover and the Damaturu–Gambir Road.

What stood out was not just his presence at the sites but the hands-on approach he adopted—personally inspecting the Damaturu–Gambir Road, traversing vast agrarian communities, engaging with the people, and seeing their realities firsthand. This alone would have been enough to exhaust any leader.

But Governor Buni’s day did not end there. Late in the night, while most leaders would have retired to rest, he was once again out in the field. He moved around Damaturu city, inspecting road projects under construction. He even paid an unscheduled, late-night visit to the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital to see things for himself and visiting some patients.

With such a heavy workload, one would naturally expect that Sunday would be reserved for well-deserved rest. But even at that, Governor Buni demonstrated once again that governance is a 24-hour responsibility.

He began his day in the Government House giving audience to numerous individuals and groups, patiently attending to issues that cut across governance, community needs, and the welfare of the people. His open-door leadership style continues to endear him to many who see in him not just a Governor, but a servant-leader who listens.

Beyond personal engagements, the Governor still found time to attend to critical state matters. On Sunday, he approved the appointment of a new Commissioner for the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, signaling his administration’s commitment to harnessing the livestock sector for economic growth and job creation.

He also appointed two new Special Advisers—one on Local Government Affairs and another on Humanitarian Affairs—further strengthening his team to deliver on pressing issues of governance.

In addition, Governor Buni also approved appointments into strategic roles under the HOPE Education and HOPE Governance Project initiatives, including a Project Coordinator and other key officers who will drive these flagship programs.

To cap it all, he approved the reassignment of Permanent Secretaries in a major shake-up designed to reposition the state civil service for improved service delivery.

Importantly, the Governor has continued to deepen youth participation in governance. He also appointed several vibrant young people as Focal Persons in key areas, thereby strengthening his youth-inclusive governance agenda. This move not only empowers the younger generation but also ensures that government policies and programs reflect the aspirations of Yobe’s dynamic youth population.

These bold decisions, taken on what should have been a day of rest, reflect more than just work ethic. They reveal a Governor deeply committed to progress, a leader who understands that governance cannot wait, and a visionary who places the people of Yobe State above personal comfort.

Governor Mai Mala Buni has consistently proven that leadership is not a part-time job but a lifelong duty. His tireless devotion—even on Sundays—underscores his passion for service, his vision for development, and his unwavering resolve to keep Yobe State on the path of growth, unity, and transformation.