Buni louds Yobe Education Trust Fund for transparency, prudence

By Bala Dauda, Damaturu

Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has commended the Yobe Education Trust Fund (YETFUND) for transparency and accountability in managing the N1.6 billion realised by the state from recent appeal fund launched to reposition the sector.

Buni made the commendation on Thursday, while receiving the YETFUND chairman, Engr. MKA Abubakar, and members of its board, who paid him a working visit.

He said the transparency in the affairs of the board gives every Yobean a sense of hope, pride and fulfilment.

The governor urged the board to train the newly employed teachers in the state to enhance their efficiency and productivity.

Buni noted that capacity building for teachers to effectively impart knowledge to pupils and students, is a necessary investment towards achieving excellence in development of education.

“Having teachers with the requisite capacity in our schools will accelerate our target of achieving excellence in our schools, as against having beautiful structures without qualified teachers.

“This explains why we are investing heavily in teachers training and l am happy the board is also pursuing this vigorously.

“We are equally constructing structures in the schools to provide conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning,” he said.

The governor assured the fund of independence to execute its mandate without interference.

Earlier, Abubakar said the launch of the education Trust Fund initially targeted N25 billion, explaining that N10.2 billion was realised in pledges, while N1.6 billion was the actual collection deposited in the Fund’s account.

He explained that the N1.6 billion was intact in the Fund’s account and N104 million was generated as interest.

The chairman said N101 million of the amount was expended on repairs of blown off school roof in Gujba, teachers’ training, construction of 88 modern toilets, 1,000 students desks and teachers tables procurement, school enrolment campaign, among others.

He said plans were underway to embark on massive intervention in the schools.

“We have plans to construct solar-powered boreholes, reticulation of pipelines to ensure adequate water supply in schools, provide massive instructional materials, and construction of drainages in some schools with severe flooding problems,” Abubakar said.