Be Productive Or Face Sack, Lamido Warns New Commissioners

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has warned the newly sworn-in commissioners to work to improve the welfare of the people and vowed to deal with anyone found wanting.

He said the culture of lobbying before getting any appointment is over in the state.

Governor Lamido was speaking at Government House shortly after the swearing-in of fifteen new commissioners to serve in his new cabinet.

He said the culture of lobbying for public office has been retarding the progress of the state, adding that such attitude promotes mediocrity and reduces seriousness in public service.

Governor Lamido maintained that for over 50 years in Nigeria, the culture of nepotism has reduced the public offices into a source of self-enrichment thereby leaving the populace in abject poverty, hunger and disease.

He added that Jigawa has chosen to deviate from the prevailing norm of nepotism that is eating deep into the fabrics of the nation’s public service, in order for the Federal Government and other sister states in the federation to emulate, stressing that he chose his commissioners based on his conviction that they would work hard to consolidate on the achievements already recorded in the last four years of his administration.

In his words: “we have looked at the best among our people and because of the belief we have that only the best can restore trust and confidence in governance.”

Governor Lamido urged the new commissioners not to be carried away by the accolades of well-wishers and succumb to their self-centred demands.

He said the yardstick for measuring good leadership is to look at the needs of the people, and make haste towards ensuring that the masses live in good condition.

Five out of the 15 new commissioners served in the last-lap of Lamido’s administration retained their portfolios. They are Engr. Abdulkadir Jinijiri (Rural Infrastructure), Prof Haruna Wakili (Education, Science and Technology), Nasiru Umar Roni (Finance), Baba Aliyu Sintali ( Works and Transport) and Hannafi Yakubu ( Water Resources).

Also sworn-in are Salisu Mamuda, Muktar Mohammed Birniwa and Rabiu Isa Taura who were moved to Environment, Agriculture and newly established Ministry of Economic Empowerment respectively.

Others are Hauwa Lawan (Commerce), Babandi Ibrahim (Information), Hadiza Abdul Wahab ( women Affairs), Auwalu Mohammed (Special Duties), Dr Hassana Hussaini Adamu (Health), Habibu Barde (Land and Housing) and Barrister Yakubu Abdullahi Hussaini as Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

 By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano