Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has approved the appointment of 19 new permanent secretaries to strengthen leadership and improve efficiency across the state civil service.
The appointments are aimed at filling vacant positions and providing administrative leadership for ministries affected by recent restructuring and the creation of new departments.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are drawn from 11 local government areas of the state.
From Akko Local Government Area, the appointees are Haruna Mohammed Danburam and Mohammed Auwal Ahmed. Balanga Local Government Area has Alheri Yoriyo and Haruna Bello Gelengu, while Ruth Caleb Maina was appointed from Billiri.
From Dukku, the appointees are Auwal Abduljalal and Kasimu Umar, while Funakaye produced Musa Muhammad Babaji and Adamu Audi. Gombe Local Government Area has Dr Hadi Mohammed and Ali Yaya Ahmed.
Other appointees are Kabiru Mohammed Mahdi from Kwami; Balarabe Musa and Tabitha B. James from Kaltungo; and Haruna Dadum Hamza and Ibrahim Mohammed Gombe from Nafada.
Tahir Adamu Sadiq was appointed from Shongom, while Shuai’bu Chiroma Muhammad and Musa Idi Batari were appointed from Yamaltu-Deba.
The Head of Service, Mu’azu Shehu, announced the appointments on Monday, saying they took immediate effect.
Shehu said the appointments became necessary due to a shortage of permanent secretaries capable of overseeing key areas of government business, particularly following the restructuring of ministries and the creation of new departments.
He said the selection process was based on merit, competence and professional experience, with due consideration given to geographical representation.
According to him, the newly appointed officials were selected after a detailed assessment of their records, performance and years of service.
“The officers selected for the appointments were drawn from 11 Local Government Areas, with due consideration given to geographical spread, professional experience, competence and the specific requirements of the various ministries,” he said.
Shehu added that the appointees had demonstrated the experience, professionalism and capacity required to function effectively at the permanent secretary level.
He said their records of service and performance also supported their elevation to the senior administrative positions.
Governor Yahaya directed the newly appointed permanent secretaries to immediately apply their administrative experience towards improving the performance of the state civil service.
He urged them to support efforts to build a more responsive and professional public service capable of delivering improved services to residents.
“Governor Inuwa Yahaya expects the new Permanent Secretaries to bring their wealth of experience, professional competence and proven capacity to bear on their new responsibilities,” the government said.
It added that the appointees were expected to contribute to the administration’s efforts to establish a more efficient, professional and results-oriented civil service.