Governor Dauda Lawal has officially sworn in Yakubu Sani Haidara as the new Head of the Civil Service of Zamfara State, alongside 12 newly appointed permanent secretaries.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the old chamber of the Government House in Gusau, where Governor Lawal emphasized that Haidara’s appointment was based on merit, competence, and a track record of dedication to public service.

“You are entrusted with supervising the Permanent Secretaries and the entire civil service to ensure that government policies and programs are effectively formulated and implemented,” the governor stated.

He urged the new appointees to leverage their expertise to enhance efficiency, productivity, and service delivery within the state’s civil service.

Transparent Selection Process
Governor Lawal highlighted that the selection of the new permanent secretaries was rigorous and transparent. It involved a refresher course, written exams, oral interviews, ICT-based assessments, and a final professional evaluation conducted by the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

The governor stressed that the reform in the appointment process reflects his administration’s commitment to meritocracy and best practices, rather than arbitrary selections.

“Having taken the oath of office as Permanent Secretaries of Zamfara State, you must understand that your role is crucial to the successful implementation of this administration’s objectives,” he said.

He expressed confidence in their abilities, urging them to align their actions with the government’s six-point agenda and ensure all policies contribute to effective governance in the state.

New Office for Donor Coordination
In a move to strengthen partnerships with development agencies, Governor Lawal also announced the establishment of the Coordinator of Donor Activities and Programs Office under the Executive Governor’s Office.

The newly created office, to be led by a Permanent Secretary reporting directly to the governor, will oversee and coordinate donor and development partner programs in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to ensure seamless implementation.

Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability, urging the new officials to discharge their duties with diligence and a sense of responsibility.