Bauchi Gov Rejigs Cabinet Swears-In 8 New Commissioners

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi state government has in a cabinet shake-up, sworn in eight Newly appointed Commissioners, days after sacking five others.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony at the Executive Chambers of the government house on Wednesday, the Governor advised the new Commissioners to live above board in the discharge of their official duties.

Bala Mohammed who reiterated the determination of his Government towards re-branding Bauchi state to the greater heights, explained that it has been the policy of his Administration to occasionally reshuffle the State Cabinet to reinvigorate and reposition the machinery of the State Government for effective and efficient policy formulation and implementation.

The Governor who recalled that five Commissioners were recently dropped, noted that five out of the eight newly appointed Commissioners would replace the dropped ones, while two others would replace the erstwhile Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning & Multilateral Coordination, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo who has been appointed as Secretary to the State Government and the late Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Jalam who was until his death, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Bala Mohammed while stating that the remaining one new Commissioner would take charge of the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development also appreciated the five dropped for their immense contributions to the development of the State.

Governor Mohammed who tasked the new Commissioners on judicious use of government resources at their disposal, advised them to resist the temptation to divert public funds to their personal use.

The Governor informed the new Commissioners that their performances will be closely monitored to make sure they live up to the responsibilities of their various Ministries, warning that, no cabinet member will be spared if found wanting.

The new Commissioners the Governor said are Alh. Usman Usman Shehu (Ministry of Information & Communication), Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital (Ministry of Agriculture), Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi (Ministry of Livestock Development) an Hon. Isa Babayo Tilde (Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs).

Other include Prof. Titus Saul Ketkukah (Ministry of Works and Transport), Alh. Adamu Babayo Gabarin (Ministry of Youth and Sports), Alh. Abdullahi Mohammed (Ministry of Lands and Survey) and Dr. Lawal Mohammed Rimin Zayam (Ministry of Education).

The Governor also redeployed some serving Commissioners to include Amina Muhammad Katagum (from Ministry of Lands and Survey to Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning), Ibrahim Gambo Galadima (from Ministry of Works and Transport to the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs), Muhammed Salees Gamawa (moves to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment from the Ministry of Youth and Sports), whereas, Engr. Binni Abdulkadir (from Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment to the Ministry for Religious Affairs and Societal Re-orientation.

Recall that Governor Bala Mohammed had recently sacked five commissioners to include Dr. Jamila Dahiru (Education), Barr. Abubakar Abdulhameed Bununu (Internal Security and Home Affairs), Comrade Usman Danturaki (Information and Communication), Professor Simon Madugu Yalams (Agriculture) and Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim Hamza (Religious Affairs and Societal Reorientation).

However, hours after disengaging them as Commissioners, three out of them, namely, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams of agriculture ministry was appointed as special adviser on technical and vocational education, Barr. Abubakar Abdulhameed Bununu of Internal Security ministry was appointed as special adviser on multilateral coordination and regional integration, whereas Usman Danturaki of information ministry got the position of special adviser on labour matters and contributory pension scheme.