By: Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto.

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.

The governor charged the newly sworn-in chairman to be accessible, honest, sincere, and God-fearing, urging him to reside within the local government area to effectively serve the people.

Governor Aliyu noted that Kebbe Local Government Area is among the areas facing security challenges and tasked the new chairman to work closely with security agencies by convening regular security meetings to enhance safety in the area.

Also sworn in were the State Head of Civil Service, Abdulkadir Ahmed Mohamed, five Special Advisers, and twelve Permanent Secretaries.

The governor urged the new Head of Service to redouble efforts to restore the lost glory of the state civil service by promoting discipline, commitment, dedication, and punctuality among civil servants.

In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Abubakar Bawa, the governor reminded the Head of Service that the civil service requires rejuvenation and strict discipline, and charged him to improve productivity through enhanced work ethics and punctuality.

According to Governor Aliyu, the present administration has been prompt in the payment of salaries, gratuities, and pensions, and has restored the payment of imprest to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to boost the morale of civil servants.

He reassured civil servants of the administration’s commitment to their welfare through the provision of a conducive working environment aimed at ensuring an efficient and productive workforce.

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 function as the administrative heads of their respective MDAs.

“It is important to note that this position makes Permanent Secretaries indispensable to the success of any administration,” he said.

The governor stressed 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 in your respective places of assignment, a lot is expected from you. You must ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance at all levels. Proper record-keeping must be maintained to leave behind a credible system,” he warned.

Governor Aliyu further charged the appointees to remain 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.

He recalled that upon assumption of office, the state was burdened with gratuity arrears running into billions of naira, noting that the situation has improved significantly.

“Alhamdulillah, those challenges are now 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,” the governor added.

Governor Aliyu also called on civil servants across the state to remain dedicated and committed to their duties to enable the administration 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.