Yobe Moves to Build Trust in Governance Through Training LG Officials
By Baba Dan’iya
The Yobe Government has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for local government officials aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency and building citizens’ trust in governance.
The event, which took place on Tuesday in Damaturu, was organised by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Borno/Yobe office.
Declaring the workshop open, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, said the initiative was part of his administration’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in local governance.
Buni, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, said the programme reflected the government’s broader reform agenda, which began in 2019, and focused on building institutional capacity for better service delivery at the grassroots.
“The present administration has introduced several governance reforms, including digital payment systems for revenue collection and strengthened audit mechanisms to ensure value for public money,” Buni said.
He explained that improving fiscal discipline at the local government level would not only enhance transparency but also boost public confidence in the management of state and local resources.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr Linus Gubbi, the ICPC Borno/Yobe Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, conveyed the greetings of the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Moussa Adamu Aliu, and commended the Yobe Government for its commitment to ethical governance.
He praised the partnership between the ICPC, the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Ministry of Emergency Affairs, describing it as a model for inter-agency collaboration in promoting transparency.
“This collaboration reflects a shared understanding that effective public administration must be rooted in integrity, and that sustainable development can only thrive where public resources are managed responsibly,” Gubbi said.
He noted that the Commission deeply valued Yobe’s proactive engagement in strengthening financial systems and building the capacity of local officials to uphold accountability in their daily functions.
“The capacity-building workshop demonstrates a strong commitment to good governance, improved transparency, and responsible financial management.
“By equipping our public servants with the knowledge and tools to manage resources effectively, we are laying the foundation for greater public trust,” he added.
In their separate remarks, the Speaker of the Yobe House of Assembly, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Ali, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu Jajere, said the training would help shape responsible leadership at the grassroots.
They described the initiative as a sustainable step towards strengthening governance and preparing the state for future development challenges.
Earlier, the Chairman of Damaturu Local Government, Hon. Bukar Adamu, described the workshop as timely, saying it would equip participants with practical knowledge to enhance transparency and accountability in their respective councils.
Our Correspondent reports that the workshop featured paper presentations from various experts on fiscal management, ethical leadership, and public service integrity.
