Governor Aminu Tambuwal

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Monday swore-in 23 newly-appointed commissioners devoid of any fanfare.

Those sworn-in and given portfolios include :Deputy Gov. Ahmad Aliyu ( Works) , Sahabi Gada (Higher Education), Umar Tambuwal (Agriculture) and Saidu Umar (Finance).

Others include: Abdulkadir Jeli (Information), Muhammad Arzika Tureta (Water Resources) , Jabbi Kilgore ( Basic Education), Abdullahi Maigwandu (Rural Development) and Sirajo Gatawa ( Social Welfare).

Similarly, there are : Tukur Alkali (Animal Health), Mani Maishinku (Religious Affairs), Bello Sifawa (Environment), Bello Gwiwa (Lands and Housing), Sulaiman Usman (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), Nasiru Zarummai (Science and Technology) and Isah Sadiq Achida (Home Affairs).

Also, Aminu Bello Sokoto will take charge of the Ministry of Commerce , Bala Kokani ( Budget and Economic Planning), Bello Goronyo (Solid Minerals), Manir Dan’Iya (Local Government), Kulu Abdullahi (Women Affairs), Dr. Balarabe Kakale (Health) and Musa Ausa (Youth and Sports.)

Tambuwal’s spokesman, Mr Imam Imam  said that the event took place without any prior notice to the commissioners-designate in a near-empty hall at the Government House.

He added that the event had to be done in a sober and solemn mood as a sign of respect to the pilgrims from Sokoto state who died during this year’s Hajj.

According to Imam,  Tambuwal had late on Monday invited the Commissioners-designate to a ‘ meeting’ where he informed them that he was going to swear them in.

The commissioners- designate were screened and approved by the state House of Assembly last week.

” I am just going to swear you in now in a low-key manner due to the solemn mood we are passing through now and the event will, therefore, be a solemn one.

” Any of you who want to organise any reception to mark his or her swearing-in can do so later with his own people,” a statement by Imam quoted the governor as saying.

The statement said that Tambuwal , after the swearing-in , tasked the new commissioners to see themselves as servants of the people.

It said that they should shun all acts that would be inimical to the unity and progress of the state.

The statement also quoted Tambuwal as urging the commissioners to emulate the honesty, commitment and patriotism of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Through that we would, collectively, realise the aims and objectives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it said.

” Progress can only be achieved if the public office holders consider all issues on their merits, and avoid nepotism, bigotry and selfish conducts.

”The era of impunity in government is over, as the people gave APC their mandates during the last election so as to do away with past wrongs.

“They voted us to power so that they can begin to enjoy improved dividends of democracy, to see their children enjoy good education, and to see Sokoto being one of the best states in the country,” he added.