HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE & PERMANENT SECRETARIES
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE AND PERMANENT SECRETARIES ON WEDNESDAY, 30 TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
Your Excellency, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune)
The Deputy Governor of Yobe State,
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly,
Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa.
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Khadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
Top Government Functionaries,
The Security Chiefs,
The State Chairman APC,
Special Advisers, Liaison Officers and Assistants
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalamu Alaikum
We have just witnessed the swearing into office the new Head of Civil Service; Muhammad B. Nura; the Permanent Secretary Administration and General Services AbdulKarim Mai Umar; the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission Alhaji Garba Bilal and, Abdullahi Muhammad Daura, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs.
This is indeed another important milestone in strengthening the administrative machinery of the state for effective and efficient service delivery to improve the lives of our people.
The appointment of the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries were done on merit, proven integrity, dedication and loyalty following vacancies created by the retirement of some officers holding these positions and redeployment of others.
I wish to remind you that the occupation of your new offices is a trust which you will certainly be accountable for. Therefore, government and the people of Yobe state expects you to execute your duties fairly and justly to the best of your abilities because, as the saying goes, “To whom much is given, much is equally expected”.
Let me take this opportunity to warn that this administration would not tolerate any form of sabotage in our determination to move the state forward, every official serving in this government will be held accountable and responsible for his or her actions.
Government resources must be deployed and judiciously used for the purposes intended for us to fulfil our campaign promises and to improve the lives of the electorate who invested their trust in us and voted us into office.
In our sustained efforts to ensure a more vibrant State Civil Service, I enjoin the Head of Service to work closely with the Civil Service Commission, Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The Permanent Secretaries, are also hereby enjoined to cooperate and work closely and harmoniously with the Chief Executives and Management staff of their establishments for the attainment of organizational goals with effective and efficient service delivery.
Let me take this opportunity to draw the attention of the new appointees that, as top government officials, they should abide by the Oaths of Office and allegiance they have taken.
I wish to reassure you that this administration will continue to place the payment of salaries as a top priority, just as the training and retraining of our workforce would always receive the desired attention for capacity building to reinvigorate the Service for the government to be in tune with changing times.
Government will continue to promote team work and open up more opportunities for everyone to actualize his potential. We should therefore be good team players in our collective resolve to build a prosperous Yobe state of our dream.
In conclusion, I wish all the new appointees Allah’s Guidance in the discharge of their duties. Let me once again call on our citizens to continue to pray for the total return of peace and the prosperity of our dear state and country.
I wish everyone journey mercy back to your destinations.
I thank you all.
COMMISSIONERS & SPECIAL ADVISERS
Speech Delivered by His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Swearing-in of New Commissioners and Special Advisers at the Banquet Hall, Government House Damaturu on Friday 6th December 2019
As-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Wa Sallallahu Ala Nabiyul-Karim
PROTOCOLS
Ten days ago, I sat together with our then commissioners-designate during their two-day retreat in Kano to share with them my thoughts about the challenges we face as a state and the opportunities we have to make a real difference in the lives of our people.
I said then that while we have made some progress in such areas as education, healthcare, and agriculture, amongst others, we still have so much work to do.
“I have said before that our administration is anchored on continuity, consolidation and innovation. This means that we are not here just to maintain what we have achieved in the past. We are here to renew our promise and to expand opportunities for our people. We are here to build our state further. We are here to take Yobe firmly to the next level”. Those were direct quotes from my speech to the commissioners-designate at their retreat in Kano on 26th November 2019.
I also remember telling them that in less than two weeks from the time, they would be assigned to their respective ministries. “I do not need to tell you”, I said to them, “that our entire state is looking forward to that and anxiously waiting to see what you can do to help in improving the lives of our people”.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the enthusiasm with which the swearing-in of the honourable commissioners and special advisers is received by the public today confirm how hopeful our people are about the promise of our future.
It is a hope anchored on the belief that with just a little more effort, transforming our state and making life more meaningful for our people is within our reach.
It is within our reach to ensure that our children have the best possible opportunities for a good education, that our farmers have the support they need to make Yobe State the food basket of the nation. It is within our reach to turn our solid mineral potentials into actual prospects so that over time, we could replace poverty with prosperity and want with abundance. I believe it is truly within our reach to do that.
I believe we could do all this if we roll up our sleeves and work harder on behalf of the people who brought us here – the people whose votes gave us the mandate to lead our state.
As one former US President said, “the obligation of government is to empower individuals (and communities); not to impede them”.
With the state executive council fully in place, the task of empowering our people and taking our state to the Next Level now moves on. So, congratulations to all the new appointees.
I want to be clear: I have personal confidence that the men and women who are now members of the state executive council and the special advisers whose counsel I will rely on have the integrity, commitment and sense of purpose to prove every single day that our mantra of continuity, consolidation and innovation is fully on track. I have no doubt about that.
But I have to say that as a system of government, our democracy does not depend on the goodwill or good assumptions or the good intentions of those in power alone. It depends on the law. And it depends on the hard work and patience and dedication of those in power to deliver.
I will, therefore, hold your feet to the fire – those of you who were sworn into office today. I will expect nothing from you other than stellar performance. I will expect that you will use your experience, your creativity and your drive to help our administration achieves its purpose.
I want to emphasise that at all times, your loyalty, honesty, commitment and the delivery of your mandate practically and measurably are the gold standards with which you will be measured.
Remember also that the public watches. Members of the public on whose behalf we are here as leaders will follow your activities with keen interest. And in the age of social media and instantaneous communication, public opinion and the mass media will always seek answers if we fail to deliver.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen let me say that by the order of magnitude, education, agriculture, healthcare and empowerment shall remain our key focus. We will also ensure that our people have access to clean water, and our civil service the resources it needs to support our developmental drive.
We will pursue infrastructural development, including the construction of more roads and drainage lines, and we will ensure that our people have access to affordable housing.
We will continue to maintain close contact with our development partners. We will meet all counterpart funding obligations and, together with our development partners, we will achieve the goal of a peaceful and prosperous Yobe State.
In everything we do, we will try to have our people by our side. We will keep them regularly informed of all government activities. Through the media and our information agencies, which we will turn around and reinvigorate, we will have a feedback loop that ensures that the people and the government are regularly in touch. We will maintain an open door so that the people can remain confident of the wisdom of their electoral choices.
In the implementation of these policies and programmes, as I have noted, the new appointees have great roles to play. The success of our administration will predicate on the way they handle the affairs of their ministries and the parastatals under them. All hands must, therefore, be on deck.
We should also note that honourable commissioners are the chief executive officers and political heads of the ministries they are assigned to. In discharging their duties, they should set examples of good personal conduct, adherence to due diligence and due process. They should also work closely with their permanent secretaries, who are the accounting officers of the respective ministries, and with other staff across the board.
In summary, the new appointees should uphold and abide by the oath of office and oath of allegiance they have just been administered to.
The following are the portfolios to which the commissioners are assigned:
- Ministry of Justice - Barrister Sale Samanja
- of Agriculture and National Resources - Dr. Mrs Mairo Amshi
- Ministry of Higher Education - Prof. Muhd Munkaila
- of Basic and Secondary Education - Dr. Sani Muhd Idriss
- of Health and Human Resources - Dr. Muhd Lawan Gana
- Ministry of Works -Engr. Umaru Wakil
- of Finance and Economic Development – Hon. Musa Mustapha
- Ministry of Water Resources - Sen. Alkali Jajere
- Ministry of Environment -Hon. Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa
- of Commerce, Trade and Industries - Hon. Barma Shettima
- Ministry of Women Affairs -Hajiya Hauwa Bah Abubakar
- of Information, Home Affairs and Culture – Hon. Abdullahi Bego
- Ministry of Religious Affairs - Hon. Malah Musti
- Ministry of Land and Solid Minerals - Hon. Mohammed Lamin
- Ministry of Budget and Planning - Muhd Garba Gagiyo
- of Youths, Sports and Social Dev. - Hon. Goni Bukar Lawan
- Ministry of Transport and Energy - Hon. Abdullahi Usman Kukuwa
- for Local Govt and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Yerima Lawan Mahmoud
- of Housing and Urban Development - Hon. Bukar Alhaji Dauda
- of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management – Dr. Abubakar Garba Iliya
Let me conclude by saying that as we emerge from our security challenges and make progress on our journey towards post-insurgency reconstruction, we have a “fierce urgency of now” to re-dedicate ourselves to the task of building a more peaceful and prosperous Yobe State.
To the new commissioners and special advisers and to all government officials with obligation to improve our people’s living conditions, let it be said – by future generations – that when we were called upon to serve, when the moment was hard and the resources at our disposal so limited, we rose to the occasion, and did our part, and made Yobe a much better place for all its people.
Thank you.
May Almighty Allah bless us all.
RETREAT FOR MEMBERS OF STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR MAI MALA BUNI AT THE OPENING OF RETREAT ORGANISED FOR MEMBERS OF YOBE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DESIGNATE AT PORTO GULF HOTEL, KANO ON TUESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2019
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
Wa Sallallahu ala Nabiyul-Karim
- Honourable Members Designate of the Yobe State Executive Council
- The Acting Secretary to the State Government
- Acting Head of Service
- The Chief of Staff
- Permanent Secretaries
- Resource Persons, Discussants, Panellists
- Gentlemen of the Press
- Extremely Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Protocols
Let me begin by congratulating all our commissioners-designate for your nomination as members of the State Executive Council and also for your successful screening by the leadership and members of the Yobe State House of Assembly.
In less than two weeks from now, all of you would be deployed to your respective ministries of assignment and I do not need to tell you that our entire state is looking forward to that and anxiously waiting to see what you can do to help in improving the lives of our people.
There is a reason for this sense of anticipation. Since our administration came on board a little over five months ago, the actions we have taken so far have generated interest and rekindled so much hope among our people about the promise of our future. People across the state are very excited that our state is poised for progress. They are excited that we are exemplars of our own mantra of continuity, consolidation and innovation.
Just take a look at some of the data.
Since the commencement of our journey on May 29th, 2019, we have continued to fund and support our healthcare sector, strengthening its capacity to provide quality, affordable care for our people. We have maintained regular and timely payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other benefits to government workers. Today, Yobe is noted as one state where workers have the certainty of a dignified and peaceful retirement because they do not have to worry about getting their retirement benefits and other entitlements.
Since taking over the mantle of leadership, we have also moved farther along in completing the construction of our International Cargo Airport. This is a project that is certain to open up our state to the world and complement our effort at making Yobe State a hub for the export of agricultural produce. This is an issue to which we place a lot of importance.
While continuing with these projects that I mentioned, we have also begun to take steps to re-order our socio-economic priorities by placing our state firmly on the road to turning our abundant agricultural and solid mineral resources from potentials to actual prospects.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as you are aware, the currency of today’s economy is knowledge. A society that gets its education right would always get its socio-economic development on the right path. This is true across the globe. This is why we strongly believe that it is important that we make education our number one priority in the state.
As our first order of business, therefore, we began taking the steps necessary to revitalize our education sector and provide the best possible opportunities for our people to have access to qualitative education. We organised and hosted an education summit – the first of its kind in the state, set up an expert technical committee on the revitalization of basic and secondary education and moved to ensure that only qualified teachers stand in front of the classroom to teach our children.
I am glad to inform you that we have already began to implement the recommendations of the Interim Report submitted by the Committee.
As part of this, I have approved for the establishment of a teacher training and curriculum development center. I have also approved for the establishment of three Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education schools, one in each of our three senatorial districts.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it would interest you to note that the expert technical committee for the revitalization of basic and secondary education has also identified well over 400, 000 out of school children in the state. I strongly believe that this is an issue that requires urgent attention through the integration of the Tsangaya/Qur’anic school system with the formal education system in the state.
Because Yobe is generally regarded as an agrarian state, we have also seized the moment to try to re-position the agriculture sector. To make meaningful progress, we brought together key stakeholders – experts, academics, farmers, farmer associations, oversight and regulatory agencies, and the private sector in an agricultural retreat to tap from their experience, knowledge and expertise to help us chart the way forward.
Today, as a result of the insights that have emerged from those deliberations, we are in a position to begin implementing the most ambitious agricultural renewal and development programme in the history of our state.
We have also made real our pledge to resuscitate some of our dormant, non-functioning industries in the state, including the Yobe Flour and Feed Mills, Yobe Woven Sacks Factory and the Yobe Aluminium Company. Bringing these industries back to production would provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs to people across the state.
As some of you might be aware, we have also stepped up our interactions and contact with our development partners. We are mindful of the fact that to fully recover from the devastating effects of the Boko Haram insurgency, we need an all-hands-on deck approach to development where the federal government, development partners and our state government pool resources together to help our people recover and rebuild their livelihoods.
The State Government has also demonstrated its commitment to empowerment and human capital development through the training that it is are currently providing in paint production to over 500 youths across the state.
We are demonstrating – with that training – that we are not just going to provide the proverbial fish to our youth. More importantly, we are going to teach them how to fish – so that they could have as much fish as they are ready to work for.
We have also begun the construction of an Ultra-Modern Market in Damaturu at the cost of N2.8 billion and set in motion the construction of a modern Trailer Transit Park in Potiskum in partnership with the Nigerian Shippers Council. When completed, the Park is projected to provide up to 5000 jobs for the people.
We have also commenced the construction of township roads and drainages in Bun-Yadi, Damagum, Babbangida and Jajimaji towns to make commuting in these towns easier for the people and guard against flooding.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen let me say, therefore, that we can take enormous pride in all the things we have accomplished so far.
It is also gratifying that the Progressives Governors’ Forum Secretariat, in a recent survey, has placed Yobe State as the second-best state in terms of new governance initiative among all APC-led states in the country. A recent survey also found that Yobe has the second highest allocation for education in the 2020 budget among all states of the federation. That shows that our development strategy is being recognised.
But that is just the beginning of the story. The full story is that we still have a long way to go; we have so much work to do to develop our state and improve our people’s living conditions.
This is the issue to which I now want to turn my attention.
I have said before that our administration is anchored on continuity, consolidation and innovation. This means that we are not here just to maintain what we have achieved in the past. We are here to renew our promise and to expand opportunities. We are here to build our state further. We are here to take Yobe firmly to the next level.
I don’t need to tell you that taking Yobe to the Next Level requires enormous sacrifices on your part. As members of the State Executive Council, you would be required to roll up your sleeves and to fully join in this effort.
It means that you would have to regularly think out of the box and try to do things a little differently. You should know that our administration would seek to steer clear of doing business-as-usual. Instead, we would consistently seek to adopt novel and effective ways of delivering service to the people.
At all times, I would expect you to be guided and to abide by the values that we all believe in – honesty, dedication, a sense of duty, and a sense of integrity.
I want you to remember that this administration rode to power on the crest of the support of the people who believed that their votes would translate into practical improvement in their living conditions. We must deliver on that. We must make our people proud of the choices they made during the election and even prouder of the administration they have in place in the state.
As politicians, we should also strengthen people’s confidence in government by keeping our doors open and by maintaining regular contacts with the people at the grassroots.
I am confident that, together, we would write a new chapter in the development of our state by working harder than ever to justify the confidence that the people have reposed in us.
Let me conclude by reminding us that we have so much work to do to move Yobe State forward. So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get to work.
Thank you. May God bless us all. Have a fruitful retreat.
CHAIRMAN & MEMBERS OF STATE ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE CHAIRMAN AND PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION ON WEDNESDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 2020 AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, DAMATURU.
Your Excellency, The Deputy Governor of Yobe state Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa.
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
The Security Chiefs,
The State Chairman APC,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalamu Alaikum
We have just witnessed the swearing-in of the Chairman and Permanent Members of the Yobe State Assembly Service Commission whose appointments were made purely on merit and records of proven integrity. I therefore congratulate you all on your appointments.
Alhaji Mohammed Nur Alkali, the new chairman of the commission was a seasoned civil servant and a former clerk of the state House of assembly who retired from the civil service as a Permanent Secretary. He is therefore no doubt a personality with vast wealth of experience and properly equipped to lead the commission.
Similarly, the five Members of the Commission Hon. Malumta Barau and Hon. Mohammed Mohammed Bara, Hajiya Asma’u Kabiru Kolo, Hajiya Hajara Lawan and Barrister Aliyu Shehu are distinguished men and women who have had impressive records of service with unalloyed loyalty and support to government. They also enjoy great respect from the society.
It is indeed a selection of the right people for the right job. And as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is equally expected, you are therefore advised to live up to expectation of government and the people.
The Chairman and Permanent Members are expected to inject new ideas in running the affairs of the Commission based on the laws establishing the commission. I enjoin you to ensure discipline, reward and compliance with due process among staff of the Yobe State House of Assembly for a more effective and efficient bureaucracy in the Yobe State House of Assembly to give the Honourable House the necessary support to discharge its oversight functions for the development of our dear State.
You are therefore advised to be fair and just to all in the discharge of your responsibilities. You should also use your offices to give every citizen of the state a sense of belonging without discrimination on political, religious, cultural or ethnic differences.
In conclusion, I pray to Almighty Allah to guide you in the discharge of your duties for you to contribute efficiently to the development of our dear state.
I thank everyone for being here to witness this occasion.
Ma’assalam.
ACTING GRAND KADI
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE ACTING GRAND KADI OF YOBE STATE BABAGANA MAHDI, TWO HIGH COURT JUDGES AND TWO KADIS OF SHARIA COURT ON SATURDAY, 16 TH JANUARY, 2021
Your Excellency The Deputy Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, (Wazirin Fune)
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
The Security Chiefs,
The State Chairman APC,
Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Other Top Government Functionaries,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Assalamu Alaikum.
I am glad to yet again perform this great function of swearing into office the Acting Grand Khadi of Yobe state Honourable Babagana Mahdi, two High Court Judges and two Kadis of the Sharia Court, Honourable Hadiza Lawan Musa, Honurable Amina Shehu, Honourable Kadi Bashir Inuwa and Honourable Kadi Abba Kaka Kime respectively.
This event is another important milestone in our quest to reposition the judiciary and promote speedy dispensation of justice in the state.
The appointments of their lordships the Acting Grand Kadi, the High court judges and Khadis of the Sharia courts were strictly done on merit and in conformity with the powers conferred on me by section 174 sub-section (2), section 271 sub-section (2) and section 276 sub-section (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
As we celebrate your appointments, let me quickly remind you that, so much is expected from you to justify these appointments by performing your duties transparently, with great fairness and justice to all persons irrespective of political, economic, religious and/or ethnic differences for the judiciary to truly remain the last hope of the common man.
Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, this administration has great respect for the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of all citizens, government will therefore continue to support the judiciary to achieve these goals.
I therefore wish to appeal to the judiciary generally, and the new appointees in particular, to enhance swift dispensation of justice on criminal cases such as rape, kidnapping and all other cases, for it is said “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”.
I am also confident that the Acting Grand Kadi, the High Court Judges and Kadis of the Sharia Court would contribute their quota to the existing harmonious working relationship between the Judiciary, the Legislative and the Executive arms of Government.
I would like to reiterate the commitment of the state government towards supporting the Judiciary to effectively discharge its duties for a peaceful and prosperous Yobe State.In conclusion, I congratulate you all and pray to Almighty Allah to guide you to discharge your duties with all fairness and fear of Him. I wish you a successful tenure of office.
Thank you and Ma’assalam
NEWLY ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE 17 NEWLY ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL CHAIRMEN, HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 3rd MARCH, 2021 AT THE BANQUET HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE DAMATURU.
Your Excellency, The Deputy Gov. Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa.
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members Yobe State House of Assembly,
Honourable Commissioners,
The Security Chiefs,
The State Chairman APC,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of staff,
The Newly Elected Council Chairmen,
Other Top Government Functionaries,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Assalamu Alaikum
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah. It is with very special gratitude to Allah (SWT) that I address you on this very special occasion of swearing into office the 17 newly elected local government council chairmen after a successful and peaceful election across the state.
I congratulate the chairmen and councilors of the local government councils on your victory in the last Saturday elections and the inauguration of the chairmen, which we have just performed today.
The local government election is in compliance with the provision of Nigeria’s constitution that provides for elected chairmen and councilors for the local government administration.
It is indeed a great milestone as we seek to institute democratic governance in the local government system. We have in this election seen the excellent working synergy between the state government and the good people of Yobe state in the onerous task of building a strong democracy and bringing it much closer to the people at the grassroots.
I wish to register my appreciation and that of the state government for the peaceful conduct of the electorate before, during and after the elections. This election was a historic testimony that the people of the state from all political parties have shown great interest, maturity and respect for one another.
I am also delighted that our communities who were earlier displaced by insurgency but now resettled, had for the first time after a decade, cast their votes in their communities. This shows the improvement in security in the state.
The council election further demonstrates the growing political maturity in our people where members of the opposition party turned out en mass to vote and elect chairmen and councilors of their respective local government councils despite the fact that their parties did not field candidates.
The participation of members of the opposition parties to elect the council leaders, was further a testimony that APC fielded the right candidates for the right offices in this election.
The investment of the people's trust in you is therefore a great challenge to be alive to the responsibilities of your offices. You should strive to be above board to deliver dividends of democracy to all communities in your local government areas. It is said to whom much is given; much is equally expected.
I want to assure you that the state government would always support each and every one of you who is determined to execute programmes and projects that would improve the lives of the people. The state government would be on the same page with the progressive minded council executives whose interests are focused on the welfare of their people.
This administration promotes prudence, transparency and equity in the administration of public resources. You are therefore enjoined to be judicious, diligent and transparent in application of public resources. You must always ensure that there is value for money in every project and programme you are undertaking.
Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to our people to support and cooperate with the council leaders to execute people oriented projects that would be beneficial to the communities. You should place public interests over and above private interests in all requests you make to the council.
This administration is committed to establishing strong legacies that would stand the test of time and improve the lives of our people. This can only be achieved if you support and encourage the local councils’ administration to achieve the set targets.
May I also remind us not to relent in our prayers for the complete return of peace and security to our dear state and country as we continue to appreciate the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, officers and men of the security organizations and, the vigilante groups in the fight against insurgency and other crimes in the North east and Nigeria in general.
I pray to Allah (SWT) to guide us all on the right path and to live in terms with the oath of our respective offices. Once more congratulations and I wish you all the very best.
Thank You all and Ma’Assalam
NEW CHAIRMAN OF GULANI & MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT SERVICE BOARD
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE, CHAIRMAN APC CARETAKER/EXTRAORDINARY CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE ON THE OCCASION OF SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF GULANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT SERVICE BOARD HELD ON MONDAY, 27TH SEPTEMBER, 2021 AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, DAMATURU.
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Khadi,
Honourable Members of Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
The Security Chiefs,
The State Chairman APC,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Special Advisers, Liaison Officers and Senior Special Assistants,
Permanent Secretaries and other Top Government Functionaries,
Local Government Council Chairmen here present,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamu Alaikum,
We have just witnessed the swearing-in into office of Honourable Dayyabu Ilu as the new Executive Chairman of Gulani Local Government Council. This followed the demise of the late chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Gulani. May his soul rest in Perfect Peace.
This is done in conformity with section 23 of the Yobe State Local Government Law as amended. I wish to congratulate you on your new responsibilities and urge you to build on the successes recorded by the late Chairman. As the leader of Gulani Local Government Council, you should strive to keep the Council and people united, maintain open door policy and promote peaceful co-existence for the development of the area and Yobe State in general.
Similarly, in line with the provisions of the Public Service Audit Law which I recently assented, the Yobe State Audit Board was constituted. I am glad to have inaugurated the board today.
The functions of the Board include:
- a) Confirm the selection and appointment of persons recruited by the Auditor-General for State and Local Governments,
- b) Handle all matters of promotion of staff of the offices of the Auditor-General for State and Local Governments.
- c) Subject any staff of the offices of the Auditor-General to disciplinary processes and impose sanctions based on the recommendations of the Auditor-General for State and Local Governments.
- d) Perform such other duties and functions as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of discharging its functions under this Law.
- e) The Audit Service Board shall advice the State Government on policy issues relating to Audit matters.
I would like to congratulate Alhaji Goje Modu Balube on his well-deserved appointment as the Chairman, State Audit Board. The new Chairman is a familiar name in the Audit profession in the State as he was once an Auditor-General of Yobe State before his retirement from the Civil Service in 2010. I believe he would bring his well noted leadership qualities and wealth of experience especially in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Internal Controls, Accounting Method, Financial In-Balance and Data Analysis to bear in discharging his new responsibilities.
The pioneer members of the board which include Yusuf Aji Amshi, Lawan Abba Wasili, Dr. Umar Majalam Ibrahim, Alhaji Mala Gana, and Haruna Usman Kollere, are indeed men of hard work, dedication and proven integrity in their Civil Service career before retirement. They possess vast knowledge in public finance management which is one of the criteria used for their merited appointments.
I congratulate you all, and enjoin you to work hard and promote team work with the management staff in accordance with the rules and regulations on which the Board was established. These appointments provide you with another opportunity to contribute to accountability, probity and prudent management of government resources for optimum performance of our administration.
You should therefore, abide by the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office to which you have sworn to uphold.
I wish you a successful tenure of office and pray to Almighty Allah to guide you in the discharge of your duties for the overall development of the state.
Let me remind us all, on the need for continuous prayers to Almighty Allah for the full return of peace, bumper harvest and prosperity of our State and the Nation at large.
I thank you all, Ma'asalam.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI CON, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED PERMANENT SECRETARIES, MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND THE PILGRIMS COMMISSIONS, THE AUDITOR-GENERAL OF THE STATE AND A MEMBER EACH OF THE STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE TEACHING SERVICE BOARD ON WEDNESDAY, 24TH MAY, 2023.
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, Wazirin Fune,
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Lawan Mirwa,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
Heads of Security Organizations and other Para-military Agencies,
The State Chairman APC,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff
Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants,
Permanent Secretaries,
Chairmen of Commissions, Chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals,
Your Royal Highnesses Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have just witnessed the swearing-into office of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, and other Senior Government Officials to contribute and add value to the good governance, and service delivery agenda of our administration.
- These officers were carefully selected and appointed based on merit, their wealth of experience, integrity, diligence, and loyalty. I am convinced that they have a lot to offer to our reform programme to improve service delivery.
- I, therefore, urge the two Permanent Secretaries Ibrahim Adamu Jajere of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and Mohammed Inuwa Gulani of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism to discharge your duties with an extra commitment to support this administration to serve the people of Yobe state diligently and successfully.
- To the chairman and Permanent Commissioners of the Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Sule Ado, Alhaji Waziri Yerima, Mallam Kyari Batarama, Alhaji Jibrin Babale, Alhaji Muhammed Kondoma and Hajiya Aisha Haruna Godowoli respectively, you have great roles to play to institute discipline and improve efficiency in local government administration to raise the standard of service delivery at the grassroots.
- Let me state with a sense of satisfaction that, Yobe state has performed creditably well in Hajj operations in the previous years. Indeed, we have become a role model in Hajj operations in Nigeria. Therefore, much is expected from Alhaji Mai Aliyu Usman, the Chairman and Alhaji Adam Arjo Kayeri member of the Hajj Commission to contribute selflessly to further improve our already high-ranking performance.
- As you are aware, Yobe state is today adjudged the second-best state in Sub-national Audit Efficacy index in Nigeria, the appointment of Mai Aliyu Umar Gulani, a thorough-bred professional as the Auditor-General of the State, is expected to improve our performance for Yobe State to become the best state in Nigeria.
- Similarly, I have no doubt that the appointment of Alhaji Abbani Gambo as a member of the State Independent Electoral Commission; Alhaji Wakil Maina Machina Permanent Member of the Civil Service Commission; and Alhaji Ballama Budu Permanent Member Teaching Service Board, would be advantageous to the respective departments.
- As l congratulate you all, l equally urge you to abide by the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance administered to you a few moments ago. You should dedicate yourselves to the responsibilities of your offices, and contribute to the success of our administration.
- Let me also stress that you are expected to be in tune with the policies and programmes of this administration, and to be on the same page with our policy of prudent management of resources. You should imbibe the spirit of teamwork for a collective realization of our set goals.
- I wish you Allah's support and guidance for a successful tenure of office.
I thank you all.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI CON, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF EIGHT NEWLY APPOINTED PERMANENT SECRETARIES ON TUESDAY, 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023 AT THE BANQUET HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, DAMATURU
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly,
Right Honourable Chiroma Buba Mashio,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Heads of Security and Para-military Agencies,
The State Chairman APC,
The Ag. Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Permanent Secretaries,
Chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments,
Chairmen, Local Government Caretaker Management Committees here present,
Your Royal Highness, the Emir and Mais here present
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamu Alaikum,
We have just performed the swearing-in ceremony of nine new Permanent Secretaries into the Yobe State Government Civil Service. I congratulate you for attaining the climax of your career as Civil Servants. However, this comes with the age-long maxim that says "To whom much is given, much is equally expected ".
Your ascension to this office is purely based on merit, competence and capacity. You are therefore expected to add value from your wealth of experience to the Civil Service for government to achieve its set goals, and to efficiently and effectively deliver the required services to our people.
Similarly, as seasoned civil servants with long years of experience, you should inject your wealth of knowledge, wisdom and skills to promote Good Governance and groom your subordinates for sustainability because one day you will also retire from the service just as you took over from your seniors who retired from service.
As you are aware, this administration recently employed over 2,600 degree graduates, Diploma and NCE holders to fill in the vacant positions in the civil service to enhance productivity.
I charge the Office of the Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries to promote schedules of responsibilities, giving every worker a duty to justify his employment and the resources expended as wages on civil servants. This will give our workers a sense of belonging and involvement, and check cases of idleness and absenteeism to promote vibrancy and productivity.
Let me once again reiterate our commitment to due process and transparency in conducting government business. All communications and movement of files must follow the normal procedure and channels for proper documentation. On no account should government files be released to unauthorised persons. The Secretary to the State Government is hereby directed to take note and act accordingly.
Similarly, the conversion of government vehicles and facilities to personal use and services at the expense of government work is hereby banned. All government vehicles should be strictly used for government assignments. The Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries are hereby directed to ensure compliance.
As we undertake our second and final term of office, we will ensure that government resources are judiciously and effectively used to improve the welfare of our people. Therefore, let me warn that government would not condone wastage and/or diversion of government resources to sabotage our efforts towards providing services to the people.
I enjoin all the Permanent Secretaries to be good team players and to work harmoniously with your Commissioners, directors and other staff in your respective ministries and departments for us to collectively achieve our set targets with maximum results.
Furthermore, l enjoin you to display a high level of loyalty, sacrifice, and diligence and to be machinery of good governance in the service of Yobe state.
Once again, l congratulate you and wish you Allah's guidance.
I thank you all.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HONOURABLE MAI MALA BUNI CON, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CARETAKER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES HELD ON TUESDAY, 30TH MAY, 2023
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune),
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly,
Rt. Hon. Ahmed Lawan Mirwa.
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
Heads of Security and Para-military Agencies,
The State Chairman APC,
The Head of Service,
Senior Special Assistants,
Permanent Secretaries,
Chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals,
The Chairmen, Local Government Care-taker Management Committees
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaikum
The swearing-in of the newly appointed Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Caretaker Management Committees has come just as we commence our second term of office.
May l once again condole with the family, the people of Karasuwa local government and indeed, the state, over the sad loss of the former Chairman, Alh. Lawan Gana Karasuwa, who would have been sworn in along with his colleagues earlier than now but, had to shift the event to today, owing to his death. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al Janatur Firdaus. May Allah console the family, relations and friends of late Lawan Gana Karasuwa, amin.
The commencement of our second term of office defines a new beginning for more dedication and commitment to service delivery to justify the people's confidence and reinvestment of trust in us.
You are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the principle of due process and procedures in executing your duties to obtain the best results. Government shall monitor with keen interest your performances in your respective local government councils.
Therefore, you should be diligent, transparent, judicious and prudent in the management of scarce resources for optimum benefit to improve the lives of the people at the grassroots.
As you are aware, Yobe State is currently ranked high in transparency, accountability and good governance by reputable international and local organizations, we must not only sustain this but work hard to improve the ranking.
I wish to reassure you of the government's preparedness to partner with the local government councils on programmes and projects that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people. We must collectively strive to make local Government Councils in the state vibrant.
Let me make it emphatically clear that the state government in this dispensation will not tolerate ineptitude, abuse of office and disloyalty by any public officer. You must be upright and accountable for all your actions, and willing to serve selflessly. We will not hesitate to set example on anyone found wanting. You are therefore warned.
Let me also use this opportunity to stress our commitment to conduct the Local Government Council Election in November this year. This is to take democracy much closer to the people at the grassroots. We will ensure a credible, fair and generally acceptable election is conducted in the state.
However, it is necessary to point out that, the All Progressives Congress will ensure that only dedicated, committed, popular and acceptable persons with the love of the people are fielded for the office of the chairman and councilors to enhance service delivery at the grassroots.
Finally, l wish to appeal to the good people of Yobe State to support and cooperate with the state government as it unfolds new reform policies and programmes to further improve service delivery across the state.
I thank you all.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI CON, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW HONOURABLE COMMISSIONERS HELD ON SATURDAY, 19TH AUGUST, 2023 AT THE BANQUET HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, DAMATURU
Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune)
The Hon. Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio,
Your Lordships, the Hon. Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Distinguished Members of the National Assembly here present,
Hon. Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Hon. Commissioners,
Heads of Security, and other Para- military Agencies,
The State Chairman APC,
The Acting Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Ag. Chief of Staff
Permanent Secretaries,
Chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals and Heads of Extra-
Ministerial Departments,
Chairmen, Local Government Caretaker Management Committees here present,
Your Royal Highnesses Emir and Mais
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalamu Alaikum.
Let me start by congratulating you on your appointments, screening and swearing into office as Honourable Commissioners and Members of the State Executive Council. l am sure you are conscious of the task that awaits you, as we shall be taking critical decisions for and on behalf of our people, with a sense of commitment to implement our people-oriented policies and programmes to accelerate the development of our dear state upon which we secured the people’s mandate for a second term of office, at the 2023 Governorship Election.
- I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Right Honourable Speaker and the Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly for the importance they attached to the screening of the Honourable Commissioners. This demonstrates the harmonious working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government for the collective interest of the state and our people.
- You have been carefully selected to serve in this administration. Therefore, you should be leading figures in loyalty, diligence, good governance, sacrifice and productive leadership against, disloyalty, indolence, selfishness, laziness, and unproductiveness.
- As we progress into our second and final term of office, we are very much committed to achieving our set targets and meeting the aspirations of our people with minimum cost. This is a task that must be achieved for posterity to judge us positively.
- You should be reminded that as members of the State Executive Council, you are privileged to handle classified documents and information that requires absolute confidentiality. You should, therefore, handle all official matters according to the oath of allegiance and oath of secrecy you have already sworn to protect.
- I wish to seize this opportunity to state in very clear and definite terms that you must embrace the principle of due process and transparency while executing the duties of your office. The era of carrying files and other forms of communication without regard to normal procedure and due process is over. All files must go through the approved channels for proper documentation. Similarly, government files and documents must not be released to unauthorized persons.
- It is a known fact that we have scarce resources to meet our competing demands. Therefore, government would not condone acts of sabotage, diversion and waste of scarce resources. You are strongly advised to be prudent and transparent in executing projects and programmes placed under your trust.
8. I enjoin you to be good team players and work closely with your Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other staff for us to collectively achieve our goals of improving the lives of the good people of Yobe State.
- We must improve on the achievements recorded in the last four years. The people of Yobe State have reinvested their faith in us, we must strive to justify their confidence in us by meeting their dreams and expectations.
- You should also not take your postings as permanent. You may be re-assigned to any other place as the need arises. Furthermore, you are hereby charged to personally inspect ongoing projects periodically and be in a position to give a full account of the progress of work to justify value for money spent at any given time.
- Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, l hereby announce the new commissioners and their portfolios as follows:
ADRESS BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF YOBE STATE HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. MAI MALA BUNI CON, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARIN-IN CEREMONY OF THE STATE HEAD OF SERVICE ALHAJI GARBA BILAL AND THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRMEN, CARE-TAKER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOR THE 17 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUCILS ON FRIDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER, 2022
Bismillahir-Rahamanir Rahim.
Wasallallahu Ala-Nabiyul Karim.
The Honourable Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly,
Right Honourable Ahmed Lawan Mirwa,
Your Lordships, the Honourable Chief Judge and the Hon. Grand Kadi,
Honourable Members of the Yobe State House of Assembly,
The Honourable Commissioners,
Heads of Security and Para-military Agencies,
The State Chairman APC,
The Secretary to the State Government,
The Head of Service,
The Chief of Staff,
Special Advisers, Liaison Officers and Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants,
Permanent Secretaries,
Chief Executives of State and Federal Boards Parastatals and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments,
The Newly appointed Chairmen, Care-taker Management Committees of the 17 Local Government Councils,
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Mais,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We have just witnessed the swearing-in to office of Alhaji Garba Bilal, as the substantive Head of the Yobe State Civil Service. The new Head of Service has been in acting capacity since 12th April, 2022. Alhaji Garba Bilal, a graduate of University of Maiduguri has had a resourceful career, who executed his responsibilities as a Director, Permanent Secretary and subsequently, Acting Head of Service, with high sense of commitment and diligence.
- While acting as the Head of the Civil Service, Alh. Bilal exhibited uncommon loyalty, high sense of responsility and determination in piloting the state Civil Service to improve productivity. These factors along with other personal traits of simplicity and good leadership, among others, have earned him our confidence in his ability to carry on with the good work of spearheading the activities of the State Civil Service towards improved service delivery for accelerated development.
- Similarly, we have also witnessed the swearing-in of the 17 Local Government Care-taker Management Committees into office. These appointments were necessitated by the expiration of the tenure of the last elected Local Government Councils on 3rd November 2022. In line with the provision of section 4(1) of the Yobe State Local Government (Amendment No.8) Law of 2013, the Yobe State House of Assembly approved the constitution of the 17 Local Government Councils Management Committee with reflection of their membership from each of the electoral wards in their respective domains.
- In the prevailing circumstances, we considered the constitution of the Care-taker Committees as a “child of necessity” in order to fill the vacuum created by the expiration of tenure of the immediate past Local Government Councils. All the appointees are to run the affairs of their respective Councils for a period of six months before the end of which we expect to conduct elections into the councils. I would like to therefore, stress that the appointments were made in view of recognized hard work, loyalty, experience and the envisaged zeal to deliver more selfless services to the people at the grassroots.
- I would like to appeal to the Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Care-taker Management Committees to consider their appointments as a huge trust from the Government and people of Yobe State. In this respect, I would like to urge them to abide by the oath of office they have just taken and work hard to uplift the welfare of the people at the grassroots.
- In consideration of the high cost of administration and the dwindling resources, you are advised to ensure prudent management of the council's resources. I also enjoin you to intensify efforts on local revenue generation to support financing of developmental projects in your respective Councils for the betterment of the people.
- However, I cannot conclude this address without calling on the state and Local government employees to extend their support and cooperation to the Head of Service and the local government Care-taker Committees.
- May l also remind us on the need to collect our permanent voter card preparatory to the 2023 General Elections. We should also continue to pray for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections, improved security and progress of Yobe State in particular and the Country in general.
- Finally, I congratulate you all on this well-deserved appointments and wish you successful tenure of office.
I thank you all.
Ma'asallam.
