By Ojimaojo Abubakar.
Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has charged newly appointed commissioners to follow his administration’s New Direction Blueprint religiously.
The Governor, speaking on Wednesday at the swearing in the commissioners at the Lugard House, Lokoja, urged the new cabinet members to bring their suggestions to the table, assuring them that they will be given fair consideration. He, however, warned them to adhere strictly to his blueprint and not their personal agenda.
“Your most cardinal sin against this administration will be the practice of sectionalism in all its forms. Tribalism, nepotism, clan, class or religious sentiments as the actuator of any action in your office will get you fired. We have spent the last four years dismantling the division and distrust long engendered amongst our people by these evils and those who practiced them and we will never countenance the same in our appointees, neither will we retain anyone practicing them in our midst. Take the time to familiarise yourselves with our EBIGO programme and spare yourself a lot of grief.
“By the grace of God, I am the Governor, not any of you. The New Direction Blueprint is my roadmap for accelerated development of Kogi State in all her constituencies and I charge you to study it, understand it and implement it. The 5 thematic areas will remain but we are pulling out 4 former sub-thematic areas and making them full-fledged in this 2nd Term. These are human capital development, cooperation and integration in Kogi State (EBIGO Agenda), security and agriculture.
“Bring your suggestions to the table and they will be given fair consideration, but run my Blueprint and not your agenda if you want things to remain fine with you.
“Governance is about the people and Government exists for them. As high ranking government officials you must remain accessible to all the people, both in your office and in your constituencies. If you succeed in office but we discover you are at loggerheads with your people at home or missing in action at the grassroots, you have failed in a critical part of your duty by our estimation. Reach out, be accessible, approachable and serve the people with humility,” he said.
The swearing in of the commissioners was coming barely 48 hours after the Governor was sworn in for a second term.
The Governor also announced appointment of new six Special Advisers.
The governor also warned the 17 newly appointed commissioners not ruin its hard earned reputation on fiscal accountability with corrupt practices whilst in office.
“The anti corruption agencies have scrutinized us based on petitions written by various people who are not happy with the way we carry out our reforms, and they have found us clean, don’t tarnish our reputation with corrupt practices, anyone found wanting will not be speared,” he said.
The commissioners include: Mohammed Sani Ibrahim (SAN), Attorney-General/Justice; Mr. Idris Asiru Asiwaju, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; Engr. Abubakar Sadiq Ohere, Works and Housing; Mr. David Apeh, Agriculture; Mr. Joseph Baron Okwoli, Transportation; Mr. Daniel O’Neal Ejigbo, Rural Development; Mr. Idris Musa, Youth and Sport Development; Mr. Wemi Jones Ojo, Education, Science and Technology; Mr. Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, Information and Communications; Mr. Abubakar Bashir Mohammed Solid Minerals and Natural Resources; Hon. Isah Idachaba Culture and Tourism; Barr. Abdulsalam Momodu Ozigi, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mr. Abdulmumin Danga, Water Resources; Dr. Saka Haruna Audu, Health; Hon. Adewale Victor Omofaiye Environment; Hajia Fatima Kabiru Buba, Women Affairs and Social Development and Hon. Gabriel Yunusa Olofu; Commerce and Industry.
Moses Okezie, Special Adviser on Research and documentation; Dr Gabriel Alhassan Ottah, Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology; Hon Haruna Musa Idoko, Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Barrister Femi Adegboyega, Special Adviser on Legal Matter; Hon Nasir Isah Ohiani, Special Adviser on SDGs; Navy Commodore Jerry Omodara ( Rtd), Special Adviser on Security.
