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Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya has sworn in 19 permanent secretaries, describing the appointments as the largest in the state’s history.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Gombe on Thursday, Yahaya said the appointments were part of efforts to strengthen the state civil service.
The new appointments bring the total to 55 permanent secretaries appointed by the Yahaya administration since it assumed office seven-and-a-half years ago.
“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,” he said.
Yahaya said the appointments reflected 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.”
He described the civil service as central to implementing government policies and delivering the benefits of democracy to residents.
“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,” he said.
The governor said his administration had made civil service reform a priority since taking office.
He listed the establishment of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, biometric attendance to tackle ghost workers and poor attendance, implementation of the minimum wage, recruitment of 1,000 teachers and construction of a new secretariat complex among the reforms.
Yahaya also disclosed that his administration had paid more than N33 billion in pension and gratuity obligations, including 70 percent of inherited liabilities.
He said another phase of gratuity payments would begin by the end of September as part of efforts 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 selection process, the governor said the creation of new ministries and restructuring of government had created the need for additional senior management executives.
He said senior directors from the 11 local government areas were shortlisted, while their qualifications and service records were reviewed.
They also conducted written examinations to assess their general knowledge and ICT competencies.
“This approach underscores our commitment to meritocracy and balance, thereby ensuring that these appointments reflect competence, fairness, equity and justice,” he said.
Yahaya said all 11 local government areas were represented in the appointments to promote equity, inclusivity and unity.
“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,” he said.
The governor said two of the appointees came from outside the state civil service, with one from the National Service and another from academia.
He said the appointee would bring national experience and institutional links, while the academic would provide “new, research-driven insight.”
Addressing the new permanent secretaries, Yahaya said their appointments came with significant responsibility and public trust.
“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.
He urged them to uphold integrity, professionalism and dedication as his administration enters its final year.
Yahaya also warned that the government would not tolerate indiscipline, dishonesty 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,” he said.
The governor urged the new permanent secretaries to embrace innovation and technology to improve efficiency across government ministries.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to civil servants’ welfare, capacity building 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,” Yahaya said.
He congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence the government and people of Gombe State have placed in them.
