Governor Inuwa Swears-In 19 Permanent Secretaries; Sets Stage For Massive Civil Service Recruitment
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in 19 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, setting it as the largest single appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the history of the state.
While performing the swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Gombe, the Governor said the latest appointments brought to 55 the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by his administration over the past seven and a half years, alongside more than 100 directors elevated into the senior administrative cadre of the state civil service.
A statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General Press Affairs indicates that the appointments were part of a broader effort to strengthen the institutional capacity of government, address manpower gaps and build a professional civil service capable of sustaining development beyond his tenure.
A major highlight of the Governor's address was his disclosure that his administration is preparing for a massive recruitment exercise into the state civil service, following the establishment of an accurate manpower database through the biometric verification system.
Governor Inuwa said he had already directed the Head of Civil Service to work with the State Civil Service Commission to conduct a comprehensive manpower needs assessment across ministries, departments and agencies to determine existing gaps and the number of personnel required.
He said the exercise would pave the way for fresh recruitment before the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2027.
According to him, the biometric attendance and verification system, which attracted criticism when introduced, has since demonstrated its value by providing the government with reliable data on the actual workforce, while helping to tackle ghost workers and absenteeism and saving the state billions of naira.
The Governor said the reforms had also created the necessary foundation for a more rational and needs-based approach to recruitment.
He explained that since assuming office, his administration had made civil service reform and institutional strengthening a priority, citing the establishment of the Bureau for Public Service Reforms as another key intervention aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and service delivery.
Beyond manpower and institutional reforms, Governor Inuwa Yahaya pointed out workers' welfare as a central component of his administration's civil service policy.
On the selection of the new Permanent Secretaries, the Governor said the process was designed to ensure competence, merit and equitable representation.
The Governor charged the new Permanent Secretaries to see their appointments as a solemn responsibility rather than a personal achievement.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Musa Mohammed Babaji expressed appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that the appointees would justify the trust through diligence, loyalty, professionalism and commitment to effective public service.
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