The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, on Monday officially flagged off the Forum of Yobe State Focal Persons and Project Coordinators (FPPC) Education Empowerment Programme in Damaturu, charging beneficiaries not to sell the items provided to them.
Represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation, Hon. Aji Yerima Bularafa, at the Cultural Centre, Damaturu, the Governor commended the Focal Persons and Project Coordinators for initiating a grassroots-driven intervention that aligns with the education reform agenda of the Yobe State Government.
He described the “Ride for Education” Bicycle and Tricycle Scheme as a timely and impactful programme designed to ease transportation challenges faced by students, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor urged them to make proper and responsible use of the bicycles and tricycles strictly for educational purposes, warning against selling the items. He stressed that the gesture was meant to motivate academic excellence, improve school attendance, and strengthen inclusive access to education.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Mohammed Babami, described education as the most powerful instrument of empowerment, social transformation, and sustainable development. He noted that the initiative was structured to complement ongoing reforms in the sector.
Babami commended the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni, for his visionary and reform-driven leadership, highlighting massive investments in infrastructure, school rehabilitation, teacher development, and policy reforms that have repositioned the education sector in the state.
He explained that under the programme, 100 performance-based bicycles would be awarded to outstanding junior and senior secondary school students selected through transparent and merit-driven academic criteria. In addition, 17 tricycles, one per Local Government Area, would serve as community-based education support vehicles to bridge rural transportation gaps and enhance school enrolment and retention.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of development partners, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje, applauded the initiative and urged the Focal Persons to maintain the tempo of collaboration, transparency, and commitment that brought the programme to fruition.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Forum, Farouk Chiromari, expressed gratitude to Governor Buni for appointing members as Focal Persons and Project Coordinators, describing the appointments as a call to greater responsibility and service to the people. He pledged the Forum’s continued dedication to supporting government policies aimed at youth empowerment and inclusive development.
The event attracted top government officials, traditional and community leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
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