Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, unity and equal treatment of all religious groups, assuring residents that governance in the state is free from religious bias.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Yobe State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Bishop Yohanna A. Audu, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Damaturu.
Governor Buni described peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths as the foundation of stability and development in Yobe State. He said the state has continued to record progress because citizens of diverse religious backgrounds live and work together harmoniously in schools, hospitals, markets, offices and other public spaces.
According to him, peace remains the most important driver of development, noting that all religions promote values such as love, patience and service to humanity. He stressed that unity beyond religious differences is critical for social cohesion and sustainable growth, adding that his administration remains committed to justice, equity and equal opportunities for all communities across the state.
The governor further assured the CAN delegation that development programmes and social interventions would continue to reach Christian communities, emphasizing that inclusive leadership is essential to building trust, shared responsibility and a sense of belonging among the people of Yobe State.
Speaking earlier, the CAN Chairman, Bishop Yohanna Audu, said the visit was to felicitate with the governor on the Christmas and New Year celebrations and to convey prayers and goodwill from the Christian community.
He commended Governor Buni for what he described as inclusive governance and consistent support for Christians in the state. He cited several interventions, including festive support and the distribution of food items to vulnerable persons through the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) during the 2025 Christmas season, as well as the appointment of Christians into senior advisory positions and the allocation of pilgrimage slots to the Holy Land.
Bishop Yohanna also praised the appointment of Christians to key offices, including the Acting Executive Secretary overseeing Christian welfare and pilgrimage affairs, describing the decisions as evidence of fairness, balance and responsive leadership.
He further lauded the governor’s achievements in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture and security, noting that improved security has boosted peace, economic activities and overall development in the state.
The CAN Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Christian community to continue supporting government policies and programmes aimed at promoting peace, unity and sustainable development in Yobe State.