Current Affairs

H.E. the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Jibrin Barau, The Senate Leader, Principal Officers of the Senate, Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank our compatriots, the good people of Yobe State, for finding us worthy of another term in office and for entrusting us with a second mandate. We are, indeed, very grateful. I extend hands of fellowship to all and sundry to join us in the task of building our dear State. It is a duty we must discharge with dignity and honour. We are first and foremost collective stakeholders dedicated to making Yobe State peaceful and prosperous, irrespective of any differences.

My fellow beloved citizens of Jigawa State. Today’s inauguration marks the beginning of a new dawn for our dear State for which we express our utmost gratitude to Allah, the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful, Al-Fattah – Malikul-Mulk, Dhul Jalali Wal Ikram – The Giver of Victory, The Owner of Sovereignty, The Lord of Majesty, and Generosity. It is with His special grace that we are alive, healthy, and present to witness the proceedings of this very auspicious day in the historical development of our dear State. The day we are assuming the mantle of leadership of our dear State with my humble self as the 5th democratically elected Governor and the 2nd under our great party, the All-Progressive Congress.

I am extremely humbled and grateful to ALLAH (SWT) for making today possible; this is a day that will resonate in my mind as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of a New Niger State. I am grateful to all the people of Niger State for entrusting me and my Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba with the mandate to serve you for four years in the first instance, with effect from this historic day, Monday, 29th May, 2023.

Let me start by thanking God Almighty for His grace and incredible blessings. The people have spoken. Again, democracy has triumphed in our State. But the honour, glory and adoration belong to God, who is forever faithful to those who trust him. I acknowledge my better half and First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs Valerie Fubara, our lovely children, and my entire family for their unqualified love, support and prayer.

It would be wrong of me if I fail to also acknowledge the roles played by the founding fathers of the State, military and civilian, whose sacrifice and dedication helped to nurture the state from infancy. It goes without saying that the State flourished under the current democratic dispensation that began in 1999. In this regard, their Excellencies, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan deserve special commendation for their vision and tenacity of purpose.