By Segun Adewale in Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in the newly appointed Head of Civil Service, 23 Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers, and 1 Permanent Secretary, charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them for continued progress and development of Gombe State.
Speaking during the ceremony Weekend, Governor Yahaya described the appointments as a call to selfless service and urged the appointees to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, diligence, transparency and the fear of God.
“I congratulate all the newly appointed public officers. By taking this oath, you have affirmed your commitment to serve the people and contribute to the overall development of our dear state,” the Governor said.
He thanked the Gombe State House of Assembly for the prompt screening and confirmation of the commissioner nominees, describing the cordial Executive-Legislature relationship over the past seven years as a major factor behind the administration’s achievements.
Addressing the commissioners, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said they were carefully selected from across the state’s LGAs and LCDAs based on competence, experience and diversity to drive his administration’s development agenda.
He urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by implementing government policies effectively and meeting the high expectations of the people.
The Governor equally charged the newly appointed Special Advisers to provide strategic, evidence-based counsel capable of strengthening governance, while urging the Permanent Secretaries to uphold professionalism, fiscal discipline and administrative efficiency.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya reminded the appointees that the administration is entering its final year in office, stressing that there was no time for delay.
“We are approaching the twilight of our administration. Your achievements must become our greatest campaign tools because this government speaks through its work and verifiable performance. You have less than one year to make your mark,” he stated.
He noted that the administration had, within the last seven years, transformed critical sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, security, rural development and public service, earning Gombe national recognition for good governance and sustainable development.
The Governor described public office as a sacred trust and warned that his administration would not tolerate corruption, indiscipline or abuse of public resources.
“The powers and resources entrusted to you belong to the people and must be used solely in their interest,” he warned.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the new appointees in advancing the state’s development agenda.
As part of ongoing reforms to strengthen governance, the Governor announced the expansion of the State Executive Council from 18 to 23 ministries, including the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the new ministry would drive livestock productivity, value chain development, food security and rural economic transformation, consolidating Gombe’s position as a leading livestock-producing state.
The Governor also announced the portfolios of the newly appointed commissioners as follows: Abdulkadir Mohammed Waziri (Agriculture and Food Security); Micah Sunday Hamman (Budget and Economic Planning); Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari (Education); Sanusi Ahmad Pindiga (Energy and Mineral Resources); Yusuf K. Jalingo (Environment and Forest Resources); Muhammad Gambo Magaji (Finance and Economic Development); Prof. Danladi Adamu Bojude (Health); Mohammed Saidu Fawu (Housing and Urban Development); Aishatu Mohammed Bose Ahmed (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Moses Kyari Bolda (Information, Strategy and Culture); Adamu Dishi Kupto (Internal Security and Home Affairs); Zubairu Muhammad Umar, Esq. (Justice); and Ibrahim Shehu Turaki (Land and Physical Planning).
Others are: Salihu Baba Alkali (Livestock Development); Sani Ahmad Haruna, Esq. (Local Government and Community Development); L.D. Faruk, Esq. (Rural Development and Cooperatives); Dr. Habu Dahiru (Science, Technology and Innovation); Shehu Yerima Abdullahi (Special Duties and Regional Integration); Nasir Mohammed Aliyu (Trade, Industry and Tourism); Engr. Bala Adams (Water Resources); Dr. Bertha Danja (Women Affairs and Social Development); Dr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu (Works and Infrastructure); and Yusuf Abdu Kwadon, Esq. (Youth and Sports Development).
Earlier, the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, described the inauguration as another milestone in Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s efforts to strengthen public institutions and reposition the civil service for more effective governance.
He said the appointments reflected the Governor’s confidence in merit and competence, expressing optimism that the appointees would serve with integrity, professionalism and commitment to the administration’s vision.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar thanked Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their loyalty and commitment to delivering efficient public service.
The ceremony was attended by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Senator, Usman Bayero Nafada; former Deputy Governor and former Senator, Barrister Joshua Lidani; former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bala Magaji; Amb. Saidu Fawu, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, Admiral Nuhu Jidere, traditional rulers, security chiefs, development partners, political leaders and supporters from across the state.
