(Newly Appointed Secretaries. Photo Credit: Independent News Nigeria)
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has sworn in 19 new Permanent Secretaries in what he described as the largest single appointment of top civil servants in the state’s history.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday.
The governor said this brings the total number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by his administration over the last seven and a half years to 55.
The governor said the civil service is the backbone of government and the channel through which government policies and development projects reach ordinary citizens.
He noted that a strong, motivated and disciplined civil service is essential for any government to succeed.
He listed several reforms his administration has introduced to improve the civil service, including establishing a bureau for public service reforms, using biometric systems to stop ghost workers and absenteeism, implementing minimum wage payments for state and local government staff, and hiring 1,000 teachers to fill gaps in public schools.
The governor also mentioned that his administration is building a modern state secretariat complex to give civil servants a better working environment.
On pensions and gratuities owed to retired workers, the governor said the government has paid more than 33 billion naira, most of which he said were debts inherited from previous administrations.
He said another round of gratuity payments will start before the end of September, with the goal of clearing all outstanding obligations before he leaves office in May 2027.
The governor explained that the new appointments became necessary after creating new ministries and restructuring government to improve management and service delivery.
The selection process involved assessing civil servants from all 11 local government areas to ensure fair geographical representation.
Candidates took written exams to test their general knowledge and technology skills.
All 11 local government areas are represented in the new appointments.
Two of the appointees came from outside the state civil service, one from the federal civil service and one from academia, to bring different perspectives and experience.
The governor told the new Permanent Secretaries that their appointments are a public trust requiring integrity and accountability.
He reminded them they are not just administrators but custodians of the people’s trust.
He warned that his administration will not tolerate indiscipline, corruption or dishonest behavior and urged the appointees to lead by example and deliver results for their ministries.
