By Joseph Edegbo
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Niger State Governor in northern Nigeria, Abubakar Sani-Bello has appointed 14 new Commissioners directing them to follow his pace, or be ready to be shown the way out of his administration.
He also called on them to embrace the doctrine of team work, cautioning that any council member seeking personal or individual agenda apart from service to the people would be sanctioned.
The Governor gave the warning in Minna, north central Nigeria shortly after the swearing of the commissioners by Justice Musa Abdul on behalf of the State Chief Judge, Justice Maria Zukogi.
The Governor noted that the Commissioners were coming on board at a critical period, which would require them to brace up quickly and familiarise themselves with the rudiments of the office with a view to collectively delivering campaign promises to the people of the state.
“I congratulate you all with mixed feelings as you take the oath of office and that of allegiance today. This officially confirms your status as Commissioners in this administration.
“I said with mixed feelings because those of you who are fortunate to be returning after the dissolution of the last executive council, I feel you all need to work harder to repose the confidence I have reposed in you that warrants your return.
“These are not times to seek for personal glory or game and we shall not hesitate to show anybody the way out once we discover that he or she has a separate agenda than that of serving the people.”
The Governor urged all the Commissioners to have a deep understanding of their mandates and move the administration forward by supporting and complimenting each other cautioning them not to see themselves in competition with elected office holders or other appointees.
“I encourage you not to see yourselves in competition with either elected office holders or other appointees rather as a key stakeholder and partners in progress, support and complement one another on our collective effort to improve the lives of the people.” Ensure there is teamwork and essentially what is meant by collective responsibility in governance without undermining each other.”
He then warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of laxity and disrespect for established rules and regulations saying that mechanisms have been putting place to monitor, evaluate and assess your performance.
Four of the former Commissioners retained their offices. They are, Dr. Mustapha Jubrin – Health, Zakari Jikantoro – Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nasara Dan Malam -Justice and Fatima Madugu – Education.
The newly appointed ones are Mohammed Adamu- Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Sunday Daniel Kolo – Culture and Tourism who is also to oversee Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mamman Musa – Water Resources and Dams Development, Ibrahim Balarabe – Works and Mohammed Mudi – Investment, Commerce and Industry.
Haruna Dukku – Agriculture and Rural Development, who is equally mandated to oversee Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Amina Guar – Women Affairs and Social Development, Sumaila Ibrahim – Youth Affairs and Idris Jibril Amin – Environment and Forestry.
Ramatu M. Yar’adua – Mineral Resources, Zakari Abubakar – Finance, and to oversee Planning Commission. Ibrahim Panti goes to Ministry of Transport.
