In a significant move to combat unemployment and stimulate the local economy, the Yobe State Government has launched a major empowerment initiative for the year 2026. The program, executed by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), is directly overseen by Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Massive Distribution of Livelihood Tools
On Monday in Damaturu, the state capital, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mohammed Goje, officially flagged off the distribution. The initiative is designed to provide a solid economic foundation for 2,000 young beneficiaries across Yobe State. The support package includes dozens of tricycles, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, and essential Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) phone repair kits.
Goje explained that the carefully selected beneficiaries are drawn from two key groups: operators within the tricycle transport sector and skilled technicians who repair mobile handsets. The selection also includes other vulnerable individuals identified within the state. This strategic approach aims to bolster existing small-scale enterprises and create new sources of income generation.
Transparent Selection and Additional Food Support
To ensure fairness and transparency in the process, the state government engaged directly with community-based unions. The leaders of the Tricycle Operators' Unions and the GSM Repairers' Associations (GSMRA) in various communities were tasked with identifying the rightful beneficiaries for the empowerment items.
Beyond the empowerment kits, the Buni administration has also commenced a parallel humanitarian support program targeting food security. As part of this welfare scheme, numerous households will receive direct food aid to ease the burden of the new year. Each benefiting household is set to receive a bag of rice, a bag of assorted grains, and a carton of pasta.
A Broader Commitment to Social Welfare
Mohammed Goje emphasized that these interventions mark the first humanitarian activities of the year for the state government. They form a critical part of a larger, ongoing social support program. The overarching plan is designed to reach a staggering over 50,000 households spread across all 17 Local Government Areas of Yobe State.
While congratulating the beneficiaries on the new year, the SEMA boss urged them to become ambassadors of progress in their communities. He encouraged them to utilize the opportunities responsibly, promote peace, and cooperate fully with security agencies. The call was for everyone to remain law-abiding citizens, contributing to community safety and the state's sustainable development goals.
This New Year gesture by the Buni-led administration underscores a continued commitment to inclusive governance and social protection. It aims to provide a renewed sense of hope and tangible support for the vulnerable population, setting a proactive tone for Yobe State in 2026.
