Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State on Thursday sworn in Dr. Mohammed Goje as the substantive Secretary to the State Government (SSG), alongside 13 other appointees, in a ceremony at Government House, Damaturu.

The event also marked the inauguration of five Special Advisers, four Permanent Secretaries, two Commission Chairmen, and the Chairman of the Teaching Service Board.

Speaking after administering the oath of office, Governor Buni said the appointments were based strictly on merit, competence and loyalty. He described the approach as a deliberate strategy to combine experienced hands with young, energetic professionals capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing digital world.

“The Office of the Secretary to the State Government occupies a strategic position in governance. It serves as the coordinating office of Government, ensuring coherence in policy implementation and effective collaboration among Ministries, Departments, Agencies, development partners and other tiers of government,” the Governor said.

Buni praised Dr. Goje, who had served in an acting capacity since 29 April 2026, describing him as “brilliant, vibrant, youthful and energetic.” He commended Goje’s performance, noting that he discharged his duties with a high sense of responsibility, commitment, speed and loyalty.

The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Hajiya Hadiza Sabo, Zainab Abdu Saleh, Abdullahi Barde Kukuri and Liman Ibrahim Ali. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Yabani and Engr. Mustapha Umar Goniri were appointed Chairmen of Commissions, while Alhaji Modu Sanda Gulani assumes office as Chairman of the Teaching Service Board.

The Special Advisers are Alhaji Saleh Suleiman, Hon. Abdu Mamman Zoto, Alhaji Mamman Musa, Engr. Mu’azu Ya’u and Dr. Babagana Mohammed Adam.

“As a matter of deliberate strategy, this administration has appointed several youths as Chief Executive Officers of government agencies to provide them with the opportunity to participate in governance and cultivate a crop of young leaders who would inject their knowledge and energy to promote good governance for a prosperous Yobe State,” the Governor added.

He urged the new appointees to discharge their duties justly, transparently and honestly, placing collective interests above personal ambitions. “It is said that good names are far better than gold and riches,” he noted.

Governor Buni also expressed appreciation to his immediate predecessor as SSG, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, now the governorship candidate of the party, describing his contributions as dedicated, sacrificial and invaluable.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing legacy projects, deepening institutional reforms, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening agriculture and healthcare delivery as the tenure approaches its final phase.

“I am confident that when he assumes office as the Governor of the State next year, insha Allah, he would not only consolidate but expand the development initiatives of this administration through our mantra of Continuity, Consolidation and Innovation,” the Governor said.

Buni congratulated all the appointees and prayed for divine wisdom, strength and guidance in their new roles. He also called on citizens to continue supporting the government through constructive engagement and prayers for enduring peace, security and prosperity.

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the appointment of Dr Mohammed Goje as substantive Secretary to the State Government.

Dr Goje had served as acting Secretary to the State Government since 29 April 2026. Before that appointment, he was Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Governor Buni charged Dr Goje to justify the confidence reposed in him by adding value to good governance and improving service delivery in the state.

The announcement was signed by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor.

The Yobe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with international development partners to advance governance-led durable solutions for communities affected by displacement and conflict.

A joint delegation comprising representatives of the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Switzerland, United Nations agencies, and other development partners visited the state to assess ongoing efforts aimed at transitioning from humanitarian response to sustainable recovery.

As part of the EU-funded Support for Internally Displaced Persons in North-East Nigeria (SIDPIN) Programme, the state government has allocated 14 acres of land for the construction of 100 housing units, while also prioritising urban planning, livelihood development, and the integration of displaced populations into host communities.

The visiting delegation commended Yobe’s government-led approach, recognising the state’s efforts as an emerging model for implementing durable solutions to displacement

Local hunters and vigilantes have reportedly rescued 20 students abducted during Monday’s attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, following a pursuit of the fleeing attackers.

Sources familiar with the operation told Maidawa Arewa that the terrorists split into two groups as they retreated from the community with the abducted students.

According to the sources, local hunters pursuing the gunmen intercepted one of the groups, engaged them in a gun battle and successfully rescued 20 students. The sources said the remaining group of attackers fled with an unknown number of captives.

The rescued students were subsequently handed over to soldiers of the Nigerian Army, who are said to be conducting interviews and screening to establish their identities and obtain information about the attack before reuniting them with their families.

Earlier, suspected Boko Haram/ Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, killing two teachers and abducting several students after reportedly arriving on more than 60 motorcycles.

The attack came barely a month after more than 40 children from nursery, primary and secondary schools were abducted in nearby Mussa community, also in Askira/Uba Local Government Area. Residents of Mussa recently staged a protest, calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the children’s release.

As of the time of publication, the Nigerian Army, the police and the Borno State Government had not issued an official statement confirming the reported rescue of the students or the exact number of those still missing.

Maidawa Arewa will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more verified information becomes available.

Suspected Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have attacked a secondary school in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, killing at least two teachers, abducting dozens of students and leaving others injured, according to local residents.

The attack occurred on Monday during Lassa’s weekly market, when heavily armed men reportedly stormed the Government Day Secondary School.

Witnesses said the attackers arrived on more than 60 motorcycles and were initially mistaken for security personnel conducting routine patrols, a practice residents say is common in the area. The confusion reportedly delayed any response, allowing the gunmen to enter the school.

Residents told Maidawa Arewa that more than 30 students were taken from the school, although some managed to escape as the attackers attempted to flee with the captives on motorcycles. However, the exact number of abducted students could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

Two teachers were shot during the attack. Residents said one died at the scene, while the second later died in hospital from injuries sustained in the assault.

Witnesses also alleged that at least one female student was killed during the attack. However, this could not be independently verified, and no official casualty figure has been released.

Local sources further claimed that many security personnel, including members of the Joint Task Force (JTF), had travelled to nearby Dille community for a training exercise before the attack.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in southern Borno.

Barely a month ago, residents of Mussa, another community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, staged a protest demanding the rescue of more than 40 children who were abducted from the area. According to community leaders, the victims drawn from nursery, primary and secondary schools were taken during an earlier attack, and many remain unaccounted for. Families have repeatedly appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release.

The back-to-back incidents have heightened fears among residents, who say repeated attacks on schools and children are disrupting education and deepening insecurity across the area.

As of the time of publication, neither the Borno State Government, the Nigerian military nor the police had issued an official statement on the Lassa attack or confirmed the number of casualties and abducted students.

Residents of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State have appealed to Governor Mai Mala Buni to establish a dialysis centre in Gashua, citing the growing burden of chronic kidney disease that has affected communities in the area for more than a decade.

The residents say the absence of a dialysis facility in Gashua forces patients to travel regularly to Damaturu for treatment, worsening the physical and financial challenges faced by affected families.

Although dialysis services are provided free of charge at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, patients from Bade and neighbouring communities must undertake long journeys several times a week to access treatment.

A resident, Hamza Muhammad Tasi’u, said many patients are already in fragile health and struggle to cope with the demands of frequent travel.

“People are going to Damaturu for dialysis, which is costing patients and their families a lot. Some patients require multiple sessions every week, and the transportation costs alone have become a heavy burden,” he said.

According to him, many relatives are forced to spend days away from home caring for patients, while others resort to borrowing money to cover transport and feeding expenses.

The call was echoed by Abdullahi Kaigama of the Save Gashua Kidney Disease Initiative, who said the disease had touched nearly every family in the area.

“Many families in Gashua have lost loved ones to kidney disease. We are appealing to Governor Buni to establish a dialysis centre in Gashua because it will significantly reduce the suffering of patients,” he said.

The appeal comes as a multidisciplinary research team sponsored by the Yobe State Government continues investigations into the causes of chronic kidney disease in Bade Local Government Area.

The Principal Investigator, Mahmoud Bukar Maina, said researchers have collected more than 2,000 blood and urine samples, alongside hundreds of soil, water, fish and vegetable samples, as part of efforts to identify possible risk factors associated with the disease.

“For more than a decade, we have witnessed rising cases of kidney disease in Bade Local Government Area,” he said.

Health experts say chronic kidney disease often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making diagnosis and treatment difficult until the condition becomes severe. Common symptoms include fatigue, swelling, reduced urine output and high blood pressure.

Efforts to obtain comments from Yobe State Commissioner for Health, Lawan Gana, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages seeking his response were not returned as of the time of filing this report.

The Shehu of Damaturu, Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, has expressed sympathy with residents affected by a recent windstorm that caused widespread destruction in Sasawa and Sungul communities of Yobe State.

In response to the disaster, the District Head of Sasawa, Abba Barma Shehu Hashimi, visited the affected communities on the directive of the emirate council to assess the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of victims.

The assessment revealed that the windstorm affected more than 100 households, displaced several families, and damaged key community infrastructure, including two mosques. Among the affected structures was the Jumu’at Mosque in Sungul, which sustained partial damage.

During the visit, the district head conveyed the Shehu’s message of solidarity to the affected residents, assuring them of the emirate’s concern and support during the difficult period.

He urged community members to remain united, resilient and prayerful as they recover from the disaster.

The Shehu of Damaturu also offered prayers for the affected families, asking Allah to grant them patience and strength as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods. He further prayed for protection against future disasters and for lasting peace and prosperity across the district.

The visit highlights the continued involvement of the traditional institution in responding to community challenges and supporting residents during emergencies.

Local residents welcomed the visit, describing it as a demonstration of the emirate’s commitment to the welfare of its people.

A Nigerian youth and record holder, Saidu Abdulrahaman from Yobe State, is preparing to attempt a new Guinness World Record for the “Most Self-Portrait Photographs (Selfies) Taken in Three Minutes.”

The current record of 184 selfies in three minutes is held by Indian Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.

Abdulrahaman has set his sights on surpassing that mark with a target of 200 selfies within the same time frame, describing the attempt as both a personal milestone and a platform to showcase the creativity and resilience of young Nigerians.

He said the initiative is aimed at projecting Northern Nigerian youths and Nigerians in general on the global stage through innovation and determination.

The record attempt is scheduled to take place at Eagle Square, Abuja, with organisers expected to announce the official date and time in due course. The event is expected to attract spectators, media representatives, government officials, and corporate supporters.

Abdulrahaman is not new to record-breaking feats. He previously set a record for the Most Headshot Photographs Taken in One Hour, achieving 897 photographs within 60 minutes, an achievement that earned him public recognition.

He has called on corporate organisations, sponsors, and well-wishers to support the attempt, saying it represents an opportunity to place Nigeria in a positive global spotlight.

Abdulrahaman expressed confidence that, with preparation and support, he is ready to bring another world record to Nigeria.