Gombe Governor Swears in 19 Permanent Secretaries, Says Appointment Largest in State’s History

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in 19 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, describing the exercise as the largest single appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the history of the state.

The swearing-in ceremony was held on Thursday at the International Conference Centre in Gombe.

Yahaya said the latest appointments had increased the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by his administration to 55 since its inception seven and a half years ago.

According to the governor, the appointments were part of ongoing efforts to reform and reposition the state civil service for improved efficiency and service delivery.

He described the civil service as the engine room of government and the institution responsible for translating policies and development programmes into tangible benefits for citizens.

“The occasion of the swearing-in of these nineteen newly appointed Permanent Secretaries is significant, being the largest single appointment of Permanent Secretaries ever made in the history of Gombe State.

“This brings to a total of 55 Permanent Secretaries appointed by this administration in the last seven and a half years,” Yahaya said.

The governor said a competent, motivated and disciplined workforce remained critical to the success of any administration.

He listed several reforms introduced by his government, including the establishment of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms and the deployment of biometric attendance systems to address ghost workers and absenteeism.

He also cited the implementation of the minimum wage for state and local government workers and the recruitment of 1,000 teachers to address manpower shortages in public schools.

Yahaya disclosed that his administration was also constructing a modern state secretariat complex to provide civil servants with a more conducive working environment.

On pension and gratuity obligations, the governor said the state government had paid more than N33 billion to settle outstanding liabilities, with about 70 per cent of the debts inherited from previous administrations.

He announced that another phase of gratuity payments would commence before the end of September, saying the government was working towards clearing outstanding obligations before the expiration of his tenure in May 2027.

“We are determined to leave behind a legacy of a reformed and efficient civil service, while also working towards ensuring zero gratuity obligations by the time we leave office,” he said.

Yahaya explained that the latest appointments became necessary following the creation of new ministries and the restructuring of government to strengthen senior management and improve service delivery.

He said the selection process involved identifying gaps within the civil service and appointing qualified officers capable of filling them.

According to him, senior directors from the state’s 11 local government areas were shortlisted to ensure broad geographical representation, while their qualifications and service records were assessed.

The candidates also underwent written examinations covering general knowledge and Information and Communication Technology competencies.

“This approach underscores our commitment to meritocracy, fairness, equity and justice,” the governor said.

Yahaya noted that all 11 local government areas were represented among the new Permanent Secretaries, describing the appointments as a reflection of his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and unity.

He added that two of the appointees were drawn from outside the conventional state civil service, with one coming from the Federal Civil Service and another from academia.

The governor said the appointments would bring together administrative experience, institutional linkages and research-based perspectives to strengthen governance in the state.

Addressing the new Permanent Secretaries, Yahaya reminded them that their positions represented a public trust and required integrity, accountability and dedication.

“You are not just administrators; you are custodians of the people’s trust and architects of our collective future.

“Your appointment is not a personal achievement alone; it is a trust reposed in you by the people of Gombe State. You must carry this responsibility with honour and integrity,” he said.

The governor, who said his administration had entered its final year, stated that the government would concentrate on consolidating its achievements and strengthening institutions capable of sustaining development beyond its tenure.

He charged the Permanent Secretaries and other senior civil servants to uphold professionalism, discipline and commitment to public service.

Yahaya warned that the administration would not tolerate indiscipline, corruption or dishonest conduct, urging the appointees to lead by example and ensure effective implementation of their ministries’ mandates.

He also encouraged them to embrace technology and innovation as tools for improving efficiency and public service delivery.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, promising continued opportunities for capacity development and an enabling environment for civil servants to perform their duties effectively.