By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has denied reports in some social media platforms that he donated N300 million naira from the purse of Yobe state Government for building of an Islamic/Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) University.
The reports on the alleged donation sparked criticisms from concerned Groups and Individuals who accused the governor of spending tax payers money, instead of addressing numerous educational and health issues in Yobe state.
But governor Buni through his Director- General Press and Media Affairs, Mohammed Mamman in a statement on Tuesday he sent to our Correspondent in Maiduguri clarified that it was the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Hon. Kabiru Masari, while on Sunday 23rd August 2026, at a seminar organized by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), during his (Masari’s) remarks said “l have just been informed that JIBWIS has a University under construction, l am making a personal donation of N300m, and another pledge of N300m on behalf of my brother, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni”.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to arguments and misconceptions in the social media, on the pledge of donation made to JIBWIS University.
“For the purpose of clarity, His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, in the company of his counterparts Abba Kabiru Yusuf, Kano state; Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Sokoto State; Umar Namadi Danmodi, Jigawa state; the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Hon. Kabiru Masari, and other personalities were in Jos on Sunday 23rd August 2026, to attend a seminar organized by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).
“It started with a courtesy visit on the Plateau state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, before proceeding to the venue of the seminar.
“While at the occasion, the aforementioned personalities were called to present goodwill messages and of course, Governor Buni presented his goodwill message, and was followed by the other personalities.
“The Special Adviser to the President, on Political Affairs, Hon. Kabiru Masari, was the last to give his goodwill message.
“In Hon. Masari’s conclusion, he said ‘l have just been informed that JIBWIS has a University under construction, l am making a personal donation of N300m, and another pledge of N300m on behalf of my brother, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni’.
“For the avoidance of doubt and clarity, the donations made by Hon. Kabiru Masari on behalf of his humble self, and Governor BUNI, were very PERSONAL AND NOT ON BEHALF OF YOBE STATE GOVERNMENT.
“The Special Adviser’s pledge was unambiguous, and crystal clear that they were PERSONAL DONATIONS. Moreover, Hon. Masari cannot make any pledge nor take any decision for, or on behalf of the Yobe state government.
“It is therefore totally false, inaccurate, misleading and a distortion of facts to say or create the impression that the pledge made by Hon. Masari on behalf of himself and Governor Buni, was made on behalf of the Yobe state government and to be paid with the resources of the Yobe state government”. Mamman explained.