You may not know much about the governors running Nigeria’s 36 states, but Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni is worth learning about. As governor of the northeastern state, Yobe since 2019, he’s led efforts to rebuild and improve living standards. Though Yobe remains poor, Buni is pushing healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects to uplift citizens. This is the biography of the current Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Biography of Mai Mala Buni, Yobe State Governor
Mai Mala Buni CON was born on November 19, 1967, he is a Nigerian politician who has served as Governor of Yobe State since 2019. He was elected governor of Nigeria during the 2019 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Prior to being elected governor, he served as the All Progressives Congress’ national secretary.
Buni is currently the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). The committee was set up in June 2020 to resolve the leadership crisis in the party and steer it toward a national convention where new leaders would emerge.
With over 30 years of experience in politics and governance, Governor Mai Mala Buni has shown strong leadership and a passion for developing Yobe State. His re-election in 2019 demonstrates the confidence the people have in his ability to move the state forward.
Mai Mala Buni’s Early Life and Education
Buni was born on November 19, 1967, in Buni Yadi, Gujba, then known as the North-Eastern State. He began memorizing the Quran at a young age under the guidance of his parents and other clerics before enrolling in Buni Gari central primary school, where he received his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979, as is customary in Northern Nigeria.
Buni was admitted to Government Secondary School Goniri in 1979 after finishing his elementary school, and he received his West African Examinations Council certificate in 1985. While active in politics, Buni studied part-time at Espan Formation University in the Benin Republic, where he earned a B.Sc. in International Relations in 2014. He has a master’s degree in international relations from Leeds Beckett University, in the United Kingdom.
Mai Mala Buni Private Business
Buni, who comes from a family of traders and transporters, started his own business at an early age after finishing his school education. Mai Mala Buni attended College of Vocational Science and Technology in 2012 to get a Diploma qualification in order to construct a factory for a private furniture company.
Mai Mala Buni led the boards of various firms, including the following:
- Subi Mega Global Solutions Ltd
- MBG Integrated farms Ltd
- MBG Construction and General Services Ltd
- MMB Petroleum and Chemical Company Nig. Ltd
- Buni Gari and Company Nig. Ltd
- First Integrated and Logistics Services Ltd
- Rehab Synergy Nig. Ltd
- Bright View Capital Alliance Ltd
Buni’s rise to a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur was due to a combination of vision, hard work, and sound judgment. His ability to start small, diversify into new areas, and build strong relationships along the way allowed him to establish a business empire that has enriched both himself and his community. Buni’s experience running complex commercial operations also helped prepare him for leadership in the political arena.
Mai Mala Buni’s Political Career
Mala Buni started his political path in 1992 when he contested and won a councilor post under the platform of National Republican Convention (NRC) party, to represent Buni ward in the Gujba Local Government Area Council. He was later elected as the speaker of the council. He became a senior legislative assistant in Nigeria’s National parliament in 2000, and in 2004, he was appointed Member, University of Uyo governing council.
In 2006, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Advanced Congress of Democrats in Yobe state. In 2007 when members of the Action Congress party in the state joined into alliance with the Advanced Congress of Democrats to establish a formidable force on the platform of the Action Congress, the coalition made him unopposed for Chairman of the Action Congress party, and he was subsequently elected, serving as chairman from 2007 until 2010.
Buni joined Yobe state’s ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2011 and was appointed as the Special Adviser on Political Affairs and Legislative Matters to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam. In 2013 after the merging of the big political parties to establish the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni became the pro tem state secretary of the party in Yobe state and was subsequently elected the pioneer state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe state.
In 2014, Mai Mala Buni became the first elected National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress. His commitment to serving the party automatically secured him a second term as the national secretary in 2018. While serving as APC national secretary and board Chairman of the Nigeria Shippers Council, he was nominated, endorsed, and elected as the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 Yobe State gubernatorial election.
Yobe State Governor
During the 2019 general elections, Hon. Mai Mala was elected as the fourth Executive Governor of Yobe state after he won the highest votes of 444,013 to win against his opponent Alhaji Bello Iliya of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 95,703 only.
In June 2020, the national working committee of All Progressive Congress (APC) party was disbanded and in its stead, a new interim committee was formed and is chaired by Hon. Mai Mala Buni will also serve as chairman of the party’s special convention committee. The committee is saddled with the job of leading the activities of the party for an initial term of six months and also to organize and hold the party’s extraordinary national convention.
Key Achievements as Yobe State Governor
As governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni has achieved several notable milestones that have improved lives across the state. One of his biggest achievements has been improving access to healthcare for citizens. He upgraded and remodeled hospitals across the state. New medical equipment was also provided to ensure high-quality care. These upgrades have made it easier for people to get the treatment they need without having to travel long distances.
Another key achievement has been Buni’s focus on education. He has constructed new classrooms, laboratories, and hostels in schools across Yobe. Thousands of students now have better facilities and learning environments. Buni has also recruited many new teachers to improve student-teacher ratios. His administration established new secondary schools and colleges of education. These new schools and teachers are helping to make education more accessible for Yobe’s youth.
Infrastructure development has also been a high priority. Buni has overseen the construction and repair of many roads, especially in rural areas. Better road connections make it easier for farmers to transport goods to market and for people to access healthcare, schools, and jobs. Under Buni, the state government has also increased access to electricity by extending the power grid and providing solar-powered boreholes and street lights.
Through healthcare initiatives, educational investments, and infrastructure improvements, Mai Mala Buni has worked hard to create new opportunities and make life better for the people of Yobe State. His key achievements demonstrate a commitment to building a healthier, better-educated, and more prosperous Yobe.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the story of Mai Mala Buni’s journey to become the governor of Yobe State. From his early days as a student to his eventual election, it’s been an interesting ride. Sure, he’s faced some controversies and criticisms along the way, but he’s persevered through it all. As Yobe continues to rebuild after years of insurgency, the future remains uncertain. But with Buni at the helm, focused on education and economic growth, there is hope for better days ahead. Whatever challenges lie ahead, the governor is ready to lead his state towards peace and prosperity.
Keyword: Yobe State Governor
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