From JOE Hemba
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni today, Tuesday swore in nine new Permanent Secretaries, marking a significant milestone in their careers. The event was graced by top government officials and dignitaries, family members and friends.
Addressing the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Governor Buni extended his heartfelt congratulations for their achievement, highlighting the profound responsibility that accompanies their elevated positions.
He reminded them of the timeless adage, "To whom much is given, much is equally expected," emphasizing that their promotions were solely based on merit, competence, and capacity.
The governor urged the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to leverage their wealth of experience and knowledge to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Yobe State Civil Service.
He stressed the importance of their roles in achieving the government's set goals and delivering essential services to the state's residents.
Governor Buni also called upon the veteran civil servants to share their extensive knowledge, wisdom, and skills to promote good governance and mentor their subordinates.
He emphasized the importance of preparing the next generation of civil servants, as one day, they too will retire from the service, just as they have succeeded their predecessors.
Highlighting recent efforts to strengthen the civil service, the governor mentioned the recruitment of over 2,600 degree graduates, diploma holders, and NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education) holders to fill vacant positions. This move, he stated, was aimed at enhancing productivity and service delivery within the civil service.
In a bid to promote accountability and productivity, Governor Mai Mala Buni directed the Office of the Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries to establish clear schedules of responsibilities for all civil servants. This, he believes, will “ensure that every worker justifies their employment and the resources expended on them as wages".
“It will also serve as a measure to address idleness and absenteeism, fostering a vibrant and productive workforce,” Gov. Buni said.
He emphasized his administration's unwavering commitment to due process and transparency in government operations, particularly in communication and file management. He sternly warned against unauthorized access to government files and instructed the Secretary to the State Government to enforce this directive.
To further optimize government resources, Governor Buni prohibited the personal use of government vehicles and facilities at the expense of government work.
“All government vehicles must be exclusively employed for official assignments, with the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, and the Permanent Secretaries tasked with ensuring compliance,” the governor directed.
He reaffirmed his administration's dedication to prudent resource management and the improvement of the people's welfare.
He cautioned against wastage and the diversion of government resources, urging all Permanent Secretaries to collaborate effectively with their respective Commissioners, directors, and staff to collectively achieve the government's set objectives with maximum results.
