Gombe swears in 19 new permanent secretaries, pledges stronger civil service

The Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday swore in 19 newly appointed permanent secretaries, describing the appointments as the largest single appointment of permanent secretaries in the history of the state.

The latest appointments bring to 55 the number of permanent secretaries appointed by the Yahaya administration since its inception seven-and-a-half years ago.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held in Gombe, the governor said the development was part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen the civil service and reposition it as the engine room of government.

He said, “It is with gratitude to God Almighty and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you on the occasion of the swearing-in of nineteen newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, the largest single appointment of Permanent Secretaries ever made in the history of Gombe State.

“This brings it to a total of 55 permanent secretaries appointed by this administration in the last seven-and-a-half years.”

Yahaya said the appointments demonstrated his administration’s “unwavering commitment to reinvigorating the state civil service by strengthening its capacity for service delivery and repositioning it as the engine room of the government.”

According to him, the civil service remained central to the effective implementation of government policies and the delivery of democratic dividends to citizens.

He said, “It is the repository of institutional memory, the custodian of public policy, and the machinery through which the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people.

“Without a competent, motivated, and disciplined civil service, the best-laid plans of any administration remain mere intentions. It is the civil servant who translates policies into tangible results.”

The governor added that the civil service ensured continuity in governance by preserving institutional knowledge and experience despite changes in political leadership.

“By this event today, we are reaffirming our belief that a strong civil service is highly critical to the success of any government. You are not just administrators; you are the custodians of the people’s trust and the architects that design our collective future,” he said.

Yahaya said his administration had, since assuming office, made the reform and revitalisation of the civil service a priority.

He listed the establishment of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, the introduction of biometric attendance to tackle ghost workers and poor attendance, the implementation of the minimum wage for state and local government workers, the recruitment of 1,000 teachers and the construction of a new secretariat complex among the measures taken to strengthen the service.

He also disclosed that the administration had paid more than N33bn in pension and gratuity obligations, with 70 per cent of the amount inherited from the previous administration.

The governor said another phase of gratuity payment would commence by the end of September, as part of his administration’s plan to leave office in May 2027 without outstanding gratuity obligations.

“By the end of September, as I earlier promised, we will embark on another phase of gratuity payment in our efforts to leave zero gratuity obligation by the time we leave office in May 2027, inshaa-Allah,” Yahaya said.

Explaining the process that produced the new permanent secretaries, the governor said the creation of new ministries and restructuring of the government framework necessitated the appointment of senior management executives from the rank of director and above.

He said the selection process involved an internal assessment of the civil service structure to identify gaps created by the new ministries.

According to him, senior directors from the 11 local government areas were shortlisted, while their qualifications and service records were reviewed and written examinations were conducted to assess their general knowledge and ICT competencies.

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“This approach underscores our commitment to meritocracy and balance, thereby ensuring that these appointments reflect competence, fairness, equity and justice,” he said.

Yahaya noted that every local government area was represented in the appointments, saying the decision was intended to promote equity, inclusivity and unity within the state.

He said, “By ensuring that every community has a voice at the highest level of the civil service, we strengthen the sense of belonging and foster a collective commitment to the development of our great state.”

The governor also disclosed that two of the new permanent secretaries were appointed from different backgrounds, with one coming from the Federal Service and the other from academia.

He said the federal appointee would bring national experience and institutional linkage, while the academic appointee would contribute “fresh, research-driven insight.”

Addressing the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Yahaya said their appointments were not merely personal achievements but a responsibility entrusted to them by the people of the state.

“To the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, you are the ambassadors of the civil service and of your respective communities. Your appointment is not a personal achievement alone; it is a trust reposed in you by the people of Gombe State,” he said.

The governor charged them to uphold integrity, professionalism and dedication as the administration enters its final year.

“You must carry this responsibility with honour and integrity,” he said, adding that the government expected “the highest level of professionalism and dedication from every civil servant.”

He further warned that his administration would not tolerate indiscipline, dishonest conduct or corruption in the public service.

“I charge you to approach your duties with the fear of God. Integrity and honesty should be your watchwords, as our administration will not tolerate indiscipline, dishonest conduct, or any form of corruption,” Yahaya said.

He urged the new permanent secretaries to lead by example, embrace innovation and deploy technology to improve efficiency across their ministries.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of civil servants, promising continued capacity-building opportunities and improved working conditions.

“Our vision is to bequeath to Gombe State a civil service that is competent, result-oriented, and capable of meeting our current realities and future aspirations. We are building a legacy of excellence, and you are the torchbearers of that legacy,” he said.

Yahaya congratulated the new permanent secretaries and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

“Today is a new beginning, not just for you, but for the entire civil service of Gombe State,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence that the new appointees would contribute to building a state “where governance is effective, where the dividends of democracy reach every citizen, and where peace, unity, and progress prevail.”

He prayed for divine guidance and strength for the new permanent secretaries as they assume their responsibilities.