Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger on Monday inaugurated 60 new political appointees, including 30 Commissioners and 30 Special Advisers.
In a speech at the event, the governor said that the “appointments are strictly based on merit, competence and proven record of hard work and integrity.
“Therefore, I expect you to bring this hallmark of excellence and commitment to bear on this new assignment,” he further said.
He urged the appointees to work together in synergy to ensure that government delivered on its mandate from the people of the state.
“I need you all to work together in synergy to ensure that collectively, we will deliver on our mandate.
“I need you all to embrace teamwork as the key to driving government’s policies and programmes, while complementing each other to achieve the overall target of delivering the highest good for the highest number,” he said.
He warned them against complacency, docility and corruption in the discharge of their duties.
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“Let me sound it very clearly that there will be no room for complacency, docility and, very importantly, corruption.
“You should not see the privilege of your appointment as an opportunity for self-enrichment.
“If you allow yourself to be caught in the web of corruption, you will definitely be shown the way out,” the governor said.
Accordding to him, what we desire to see is the exhibition of your wealth of experience in your areas of assignments to enable us to succeed.
He said that government would hold them accountable in the daily activities of their Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Therefore, I counsel you to be open-minded, vigilant and ensure fairness and justice to all,” he said.
Bago solicited the support of the residents to enable his government to deliver the dividend of democracy to them.
He assured the people that his administration would entertain constructive criticisms and value additions from all the stakeholders in the governance process to enable it to succeed.
“We all have a collective responsibility to build a greater Niger, where peace, development and harmonious co-existence prevail,” he said.
The governor promised that government would focus on its Constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of residents of the state.
“We will ensure that our people continue to go about their daily routines in peaceful and secured environment,” he said.
He said that government would provide critical infrastructure for education, health and agricultural value-chain and also create jobs and empower the youths and also pay attention to improved urban renewal, amongst others.
Bago charged the appointees to make the most of their appointment to positively touch the lives of the people.
Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, advised them to to be guided in their daily activities by the oath of office they took.
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“Your activities are to be constantly guided by the wordings of your oats, because by virtue of your positions, you will have privileged access to vital information and documents, which must be treated with topmost secrecy and confidentiality,” Usman said.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mr Maurice Magaji, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, promised that they would serve with honesty, dignity and humaneness.
“It is an honour to be selected among several Niger indigenes, who are qualified for the same positions.
“So, we will do our best to serve and not disappoint the governor and our people.
“We will remain loyal to the governor and the citizenry,” Magaji said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim, represented by Justice Memuna of the state High Court administered the oath of office and allegiance on them.