N300m Donation: Yobe Residents Demand Priority for Education, Healthcare
Residents and activists in Yobe State have criticised Governor Mai Mala Buni over his reported N300 million donation towards the proposed JIBWIS University, with some questioning the priority given to the project amid challenges in education and healthcare. Buni announced the donation on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, during a national symposium organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, popularly known as Izala. Some residents alleged that public funds were used for the donation, while activists said the money could have been directed towards rehabilitating dilapidated schools, supporting out-of-school children and improving healthcare facilities. Activists Umar Yobe, KY Tebo and Adamu Bello Jana separately raised concerns over what they described as pressing needs in the state, particularly access to medical treatment and the condition of public schools. Critics stressed that their concerns were about government priorities and not opposition to the proposed university or religious activities. The donation also generated reactions on social media, with some residents describing it as a misplaced priority.
However, the Yobe State Government has denied that public funds were involved, saying the N300 million was a personal donation by Governor Buni and was not made on behalf of the state government. In a statement on Tuesday, the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, said the governor attended the JIBWIS event alongside other dignitaries and that the pledge towards the university was made in his personal capacity. Mohammed explained that the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Kabiru Masari, announced a personal N300 million donation and an additional N300 million pledge on behalf of Buni towards the construction of the university. He described reports suggesting that \ the governor’s donation would be paid from Yobe State Government resources as false and misleading. While the government has clarified the source of the donation, concerns raised by residents and activists continue to focus on the need to prioritise education, healthcare and other essential services across the state.
#UTVAfrica#
