Isiyaku Ahmed
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has sworn in the Vice Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuchi, as the new Chairman of the council following the death of the elected Chairman, Abdullahi Yarima, who passed away a few months ago.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Aliyu charged the new Chairman to be accessible, honest, sincere, and God-fearing, urging him to always reside within Kebbe Local Government Area to effectively serve the people.
The Governor noted that Kebbe is among the local government areas facing security challenges and tasked the Chairman to work closely with security agencies by ensuring regular security meetings to improve safety in the area.
Also sworn in during the ceremony were the State Head of Civil Service, Abdulkadir Ahmed Mohamed, five Special Advisers, and twelve Permanent Secretaries.
Governor Aliyu urged the new Head of Service to intensify efforts toward restoring the lost glory of the state civil service by promoting discipline, commitment, dedication, and punctuality among civil servants.
He stressed that the civil service requires rejuvenation through strict discipline and improved work ethics to enhance productivity.
The Governor said his administration has remained prompt in the payment of salaries, gratuities, and pensions, adding that the payment of imprest to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) has been restored to boost workers’ morale.
He reassured civil servants of the government’s commitment to their welfare through the provision of a conducive working environment that would ensure efficiency and productivity.
Governor Aliyu also called for a harmonious working relationship between Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries, explaining that while Special Advisers serve as political heads, Permanent Secretaries remain the administrative heads of their MDAs.
“It is important to note that this position makes Permanent Secretaries indispensable to the success of any administration,” he said.
He emphasized that all appointments were made strictly on merit and urged the appointees to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism in pursuit of the administration’s vision of a prosperous and renewed Sokoto State.
“As heads of your MDAs and accounting officers, transparency, accountability, and good governance are non-negotiable. Proper record-keeping must be maintained to leave behind a credible system,” the Governor warned.
Governor Aliyu further charged the appointees to be dedicated, committed, and hardworking, stressing that prudence in the management of public resources must not be compromised.
“This administration has zero tolerance for corruption. You must operate with transparency and accountability, and above all, allow the fear of Allah to guide your actions,” he stated.
The Governor recalled that upon assumption of office, the state was burdened with unpaid gratuities running into billions of naira, but noted that the situation has improved significantly.
“Alhamdulillah, those challenges are gradually becoming history.
“Salaries are now paid between the 19th and 20th of every month, cash allocations have been restored, and the payment of accumulated gratuity arrears is progressing steadily,” he said.
Governor Aliyu also called on civil servants to remain dedicated and committed to their duties to enable the administration to achieve its vision of a new Sokoto State.
Those sworn in as Special Advisers are Hon. Umar Babuga Oro, Hon. Faruku Labbo, Zainab Umar Dasuki, Kamaludden Abubakar Lemi, and Bashir Haliru Dogon Daji.
The Permanent Secretaries sworn in include Isma’ila Ibrahim, Aliyu Ladan Isa, Aminu Bello, Abubakar Alhaji, Ni’ima Hassan, Almustafa Sayudi, Aminu Abubakar Rijiya, Lema Sambo Wali, Kabiru Garba, Abubakar Moh’d Bello, Kabiru Labaran, and Sanusi Aliyu Binji.
