Bauchi Gov Swears In 8 New Commissioners, Assigns Portfolios

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed on Wednesday sworn in eight new commissioners in his efforts to reinvigorate the administration’s machinery.

Governor Mohammed it has been the policy of his administration to occasionally reshuffle the state cabinet to reinvigorate and reposition the machinery of the state government for efficient and effective policy formulation and implementation.

Swearing in the new commissioners after their confirmation by the House of Assembly, the Governor explained that five commissioners were recently dropped and eight new ones appointed.

“Two of the new commissioners would replace the erstwhile Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, Hon. Aminu Hammayo who has been appointed as Secretary to the State Government, and the late Aliyu Ahmed Jalam who was until his death, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs”.

The governor added that the remaining commissioner would take charge of the newly created Ministry for Livestock Development.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the five commissioners that have been dropped from the cabinet for their immense contributions to the development of the state.

“They were not dropped because they were found wanting in their integrity or in their capacity, the only reason is that we are trying to put square pegs in square holes, but certainly we will still consider some of them worthy of making further contributions to the state, as I will appoint some of them special advisers,” Governor Mohammed said.

He added that his government has its priority on the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the state, tasking the new commissioners to work hard towards the realisation of the objective.

“You should make judicious use of government resources at your disposal and resist temptation to divert public funds to your personal use. As Commissioners and Chief Executives of your Ministries, you should make accountability and transparency your guiding principle in the discharge of your duties.

“Let me remind the new appointees that the assignment given to you is a trust. You have a duty to God Almighty and obligation to your fellow human beings. One day you will account for your stewardship, if not in this world, surely in the hereafter. You should not therefore be tempted to abuse the trust bestowed on you. You are to serve the people and not to be their masters,” Mohammed said.

The governor also reiterated his administration commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Bauchi State.

In the new portfolios, Alhaji Usman Usman Shehu is saddled with the Ministry of Information and Communication; Iliyasu Aliyu Gital – Ministry of Agriculture and Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, Ministry of Livestock Development.

Others are Hon. Isa Babayo Tilde who was posted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Prof. Titus Saul Ketkukah, Ministry for Works and Transport; Hon Adamu Babayo Gabarin, Ministry for Youth and Sports; Abdullahi Mohammed, Ministry of Land and Survey and Dr. Mohammed Lawal Rimin Zayam who has been posted to the Ministry of Education.

The governor also redeployed some serving commissioners as follows: Amina Muhammed Katagum, from Ministry of Land and Survey to Budget and Economic Planning; Ibrahim Gambo Galadima, from Ministry of Works to Internal Security and Home Affairs; Mohammed Salis Gamawa from Ministry of Youth to Commerce, Industry and Investment; while Engr. Binni Abdulkadir was moved as Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation.

It could be recalled that Governor Mohammed had on January 7, sacked 5 commissioners from his cabinet as part of his effort to reinvigorate governance and ensure optimal service delivery to the people of Bauchi State.