Governor Bello swears in commissioners, appoints 30 new special advisers

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Wednesday swore-in new commissioners just as he also appointed 30 new special advisers and their portfolios.

The governor in his speech ordered his commissioners to always make themselves accessible to the people even as he charged them to be accountable in their dealings.

Speaking on Wednesday at the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Lugard House, Bello said they were appointed based on their experience and loyalty.

He told the commissioners that human capital development as one of the main thematic areas of the new direction administration must be respected to the letter.

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“Every commissioner as well as all Ministry, Department and agencies MDA must operate an open door policy and make themselves available to the people because human capital development would form the nucleus for this administration”.

The governor also warned the newly appointed commissioners not to ruin its hard-earned reputation on fiscal accountability with corrupt practices whilst in office.

” The anti-corruption agencies have scrutinised us based on petitions written by various people who are not happy with the way we carry out our reforms, and they have found us clean, don’t tarnish our reputation with corrupt practices, anyone found wanting will not be spared,” he said.

He said that the commissioners were chosen based on their personal merit and those that returned after serving during the first term did so based on their performance.

He urged them to reciprocate the gesture to justify the confidence reposed by the people who gave the administration a second term in office.

He cautioned against all forms of sectionalism, stating that anyone caught in the act will be shown the way out.

He urged them to be accessible to the people both at constituencies and office.

“Reach out, be accessible, approachable and serve the people with humility,” he advised.

In the same vein, the Governor appointed Nasiru Ohiani as the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ohiani replaced Abdulmumin Okara as the SDGs boss.

The former Director General Protocol, Dr Gabriel Ottah was redeployed as Special Adviser, Education, Science and Technology

The new commissioners and their portfolios are:

1- Muhammed SANI IBRAHIM, SAN – Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice
2- Asiru Asiwaju Idris – Finance, Budget  and Economic Planning
3- Saka Haruna – Health
4- Abdulsalam Ozigi Deedat – Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
5- Daniel Oneal Ejigbo – Rural Development
6- Abubakar Sadiq Ohere – Works and Housing
7- Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo – Information
8- David Apeh -Agriculture
9- Wemi Jones Ojo – Education, Science and Technology
10- Omofaiye Adewale – Environment
11- Isah Idachaba – Culture and Tourism
12- Joseph Baron Okwoli – Transportation
13- Gabriel Yunusa Olofu – Commerce and Industry
14- Fatima Kabir Buba – Women Affairs and Social Development
15- Abdulmumin Danga – Water Resources
16- Idris Musa – Youths and Sports Development
17- Abubakar  Bashir Mohammed – Solid Minerals and Natural Resources