…terminates appointment of suspended TSC chairman, members
By Johnson Umishi
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has charged newly appointed commissioners to shun any corruptive tendency that is capable of distracting them from discharging their responsibilities in line with their oath of office.
Governor Sule laid the charge while inaugurating 15-member newly appointed commissioners and members of the state executive council, which held at the Lafia City Hall on Friday.
While reiterating the commitment of his administration to the principles of accountability, transparency and prudent management of public resources, the Governor called on the appointees to shun all forms of corruptive tendencies.
To further demonstrate his administration’s abhorence for corruption, he stepped down the swearing in of one of the Commissioner nominees pending the outcome of investigation into a matter that cropped up after the Nasarawa State House of Assembly screened and cleared the 16 names he shortlisted for appointment as Commissioners.
The Governor said the reconstitution of the state executive council became necessary in furtherance of the commitment of his administration to strengthen the public service for a more responsive and vibrant stewardship in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Nasarawa State.
He therefore emphasized on the hallmark of his administration demonstrated by hard work, commitment and selfless service.
“Let me emphasize that this Administration cherishes hard work, dedication, commitment, loyalty and selfless service. I must remind you all that Public Service is public trust. You are, therefore, coming at a time that this Administration is poised to achieving more robust development that will be enduring and all inclusive.
“I charge you, therefore, to rise up to the challenges ahead by being dedicated to achieving result. This is the only way we can bequeath a worthy legacy that will remain indelible in the sands of history,” he stated.
He congratulated the new appointees, imploring them to justify the confidence reposed in them by bringing their wealth of experience to bear in their new responsibilities.
Governor Sule used the opportunity to appreciate the Speaker and members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for their prompt action to screen and clear the nominees, further demonstrating the synergy existing between the executive and legislative arms of government.
“This show of patriotism, I believe will continue to shape and define our mutually reinforcing relationship with the 7th Assembly, as we continue to rekindle our synergy towards building the Nasarawa State of our collective dream. I am optimistic that this partnership will be sustained as a reflection of our desire to provide purposeful representation of our people,” he said.
This is just as the Governor announced the immediate termination of the appointments of the suspended chairman and members of the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC) after being found wanting by the investigative committee set up to probe the activities of the NSTSC.
According to him, even though the committee has submitted its report since, no action was taken because of the absence of the state executive council which is supposed to make a decision on the outcome of the investigation.
“Indeed, without any ambiguity, a lot of wrong doings had happened under the last TSC members, from the Chairman all the way to the other members. Without any ambiguity, the government has no choice but to terminate their appointments immediately,” he said.
With the reconstitution of the state executive council, he said his administration would constitute a new NSTSC who would manage the fate of the over 3000 teachers already employed instead of the 1000 approved by his administration.
“One of the things we plan to do is that, we are going to take that decision with you, to ensure that we bring in an independent body that would interview only the 3000 plus that have already been employed and then we would select the best 1500 among them for our teachers.
“It is only when we can not get 1500 from them that we can begin to look outside the 3000 already recruited,” he said.
Governor Sule assured that his administration would adequately compensate all the 3000 teachers already employed since it was not entirely their own doing to have found themselves in their present situation.
“One thing that I have promised we would continue to do for all the 3000, for all the work they have done, Nasarawa State will compensate them accordingly because it is not all their fault that they find themselves in that manner,” he added.
He thereafter announced portfolios for the new appointees as follows: Hon Yakubu Kwanta from Akwanga LGA as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Tanko Tunga from Awe LGA as Commissioner for Land and Urban Development, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi from Doma LGA as Commissioner for Finance and Budge, Hon. Gabriel Agbashi from Doma LGA as Commissioner for Science and Technology, Barr Isaac Danladi Amadu from Karu LGA as Commissioner for Environment.
Others are Dr Ibrahim Tanko from Keffi LGA as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr John DW Mamman from Kokona LGA as Commissioner for Education, Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata from Lafia LGA as Commissioner for LG, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, CP Usman Baba (Rtd) from Lafia LGA as Commissioner for Security and Sundry Matters, Hon. Mohammed Sani Ottos from Nasarawa LGA as Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Mohammed Agah Muluku from Nassarawa Eggon LGA as Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development.
Also are Barr. David Moyi from Obi LGA as Commissioner for Special Duties and Legal Matters, Dr Gaza Gwamna from Toto LGA as Commissioner for Health and Barr Judbo Hauwa Samuel from Wamba LGA as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Hon. Muazu Gosho from Wamba LG as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport.
In an opening remarks, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, PhD, informed that the 16-member Commissioner nomineee were successfully screened by the state assembly paving the way for their inauguration into office.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the new appointees, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi, Commissioner for Finance and Budget, appreciated Governor Sule for finding them worthy of the appointments, pledging readiness not to fail while discharging their duties.
