By: Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi took a swipe of the public service, saying that having three different people as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) within a short period of time does not speak well of him, as it became only necessary in order to get the right person in place.
The Governor made the remark in Bauchi Friday shortly after swearing-in of a newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, and his new Principal Private Secretary (PPS), Hashimu Yakubu, both of whom the third in appointment to their respective offices in less than six of PDP administration in the state.
Senator Bala Mohammed said, “We have passed through a lot of problems and challenges, that was the reason, for that office, it was not my wish for it to be succeptible to changes, he is the third person to occupy that office which is a sensitive one.”
Mohammed said however that, “But, certainly, we have to bed flexible, we have to really look inwards and block gaps because there are a lot of gaps in the system, without the engine room being correct, definitely we cannot go anywhere.”
The Governor recalled, “The exit of the former SSG was necessitated by the need for a positive change and of course, Aminu Hammayo is the square peg in a square hole”.
He explained that Hammayo is a financial expert and rose to the top of his civil service career after a successful banking career, definitely we expect so much from him, there are a lot of leakages, a lot of misdemeanors that must be stopped.”
Governor Bala thumbed up for the government’s new scribe, “I wish to thank the new SSG for accepting to work with us and particularly with me, accepting such cannot be taken for granted. I know, as he said, he knows me very well, I have worked with him closely and he is not new in government as a person,”
He added,”Hammayo is well acquainted with the policies and programmes of government. At the time we were going for electioneering, he was a member of the Eminent Persons that was asked to come up with a blueprint which is now ‘My Bauchi Project” .
Mohammed contended, ”I found him to be a good resource person, but certainly, sometimes, because of the political calculation, it was not his time to be the SSG. I have always said that he is the best of the brains we have in the cabinet”.
The Governor proudly remarked, “I have said it and even our colleagues agreed, Aminu Hammayo is a very simple and civil person and has the capability to navigate the difficult times.”
Senator Bala further stated, “It is not in doubt, he has shock absorbers and a lot of resourcefulness in him and so certainly, this is the time to shoulder power and responsibilities, a very big one because of the need to deliver and get the governance working.”
Turning to the new PPS, Hashimu Yakubu, the Governor said, ”We have been together right from our young ages, we were classmates in the Primary School, we played together and we are from the same area, so, we know each other very well.”
“I have confidence that Yakubu will do very well considering his success as a top civil servant in the State while I was at the Federal Civil Service. He has done so well, he too is a square peg in a square hole. The office of the PPS needs a close confidant and he has acted it very well”, he defended.
Governor Bala Mohammed expressed optimism that with the new appointments, his administration is once more ready to bounce back and give impactful governance to the state.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, SSG Aminu Hammayo assured that the two of them, though not new to the administration, will bring in new things expected of their offices in order to make governance easier and impactful.
Hammayo, also the ‘Magatakardan’ Misau, thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for finding them worthy of the appointments, from among many qualified persons across the state, assuring that they will not betray the confidence reposed in them.
About The Author
