Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the appointment of 19 new Permanent Secretaries to strengthen the state’s civil service leadership and improve service delivery.
The appointments are aimed at addressing a shortage of senior administrative officers and providing effective leadership for ministries recently created or reorganised by the government.
Head of the State Civil Service, Prof. Mu’azu Shehu, said the decision followed the need to fill vacant positions that had affected the smooth administration of government ministries.
According to him, the new Permanent Secretaries were selected after a detailed assessment of their professional records, experience, competence and performance in public service.
Shehu said the selection process also took geographical balance into account, with the appointees drawn from 11 local government areas across the state.
He explained that the government deliberately combined merit with equitable representation to ensure that the various ministries received capable administrative leadership.
“The selection was based on competence, experience and demonstrated commitment to public service, while ensuring fair representation across the state,” Shehu said.
He added that the officers had maintained clean service records and consistently demonstrated the capacity required for higher responsibilities.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Haruna Mohammed Danburam and Mohammed Auwal Ahmed from Akko Local Government Area.
Others are Alheri Yoriyo and Haruna Bello Gelengu from Balanga; Ruth Caleb Maina from Billiri; Auwal Abduljalal and Kasimu Umar from Dukku.
Funakaye produced Musa Muhammad Babaji and Adamu Audi, while Gombe Local Government Area has Dr Hadi Mohammed and Ali Yaya Ahmed among the appointees.
Kabiru Mohammed Mahdi represents Kwami, while Balarabe Musa and Tabitha B. James were appointed from Kaltungo.
Nafada has Haruna Dadum Hamza and Ibrahim Mohammed Gombe, while Tahir Adamu Sadiq was appointed from Shongom.
Shuai’bu Chiroma Muhammad and Musa Idi Batari complete the list from Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
Governor Yahaya charged the new Permanent Secretaries to immediately bring their experience and administrative skills to bear on their responsibilities.
The governor expects the newly elevated officials to help build a civil service that is more responsive, professional, efficient and focused on measurable results.
In practical terms, the appointments are expected to strengthen coordination within the ministries and improve the implementation of government policies across the state.
All 19 appointments took effect immediately, according to the state government.