Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has reaffirmed his commitment to merit-based appointments within his administration, vowing to eliminate favoritism in the selection process for government positions.
Governor Buni made this pledge during a ceremony where he administered oaths of office and allegiance to a group of newly appointed officials, including two commissioners, the state Head of Service, four permanent secretaries, and 28 Special Advisers. This event marked a significant step towards enhancing service delivery across the state.
In his address, Buni emphasized the importance of merit and competence in public service. He charged the new commissioners, Prof. Abba Idris and Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed Bara, to contribute positively to the formulation and execution of government policies, programs, and projects. Prof. Idris will oversee the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, while Alhaji Bara will lead the Ministry of Transport and Energy.
“You are expected to work diligently and transparently to ensure that all government initiatives are carried out effectively for the benefit of our people,” Buni said.
Turning to the new Head of Service, Hamidu M. Alhaji, Buni acknowledged the challenge of replacing retiring experienced personnel and emphasized the need for strategic workforce development. “I want to assure you that the government would provide your office with all the necessary support to train and retrain the workforce to promote efficiency in service delivery,” Buni assured Alhaji.
The Governor also highlighted his administration’s stance on fostering a competent and productive civil service. He stressed the importance of promoting competence and merit over favoritism to ensure that the civil service operates effectively.
Addressing the 28 newly appointed Special Advisers, Buni urged them to engage with their constituencies to ensure that the public is informed about government policies and programs. “You must carry your constituents along to help them understand and support our government’s initiatives,” Buni stated.
