By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi

In his determination to leave a legacy after the expiration of his tenure and give the people a sense of belonging obtainable in a democratic setting, Bauchi state governor, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar has sworn-in 10 new Special Advisers.

At a colourful ceremony in the conference hall of the state’s government house that was attended by some APC bigwigs in the state, governor Abubakar revealed that the 10 new appointments were made on merit and advised the beneficiaries to be loyal, dedicated and committed to service of the people, urging them not to see their appointment as access to wealth accumulation or engaging in any shady deal that may tarnish the reputation of the administration for the remaining years of its reign.

Governor Abubakar equally urged them to demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and carry the people along, stating that the appointment of Special Advisers is to give the Chief Executive of the State the opportunity of making wide consultations so that he can have professional and technical input in his decision making process.

He praying to Almighty Allah (SWT) to give the new Advisers wisdom, courage and perseverance to discharge their duties and assignments effectively, emphasizing the State Government’s posture against corruption.

Those sworn in are Hon. Kawu Labaran – Special Adviser, Political Affairs, Comrade Sabo Muhammad – Special Adviser, Education Alh. Ali M. Ali – Special Adviser, Communications and Strategy, Alh. Musa Hamid Adamu – Special Adviser, Inter-Governmental Relations and Alh. Sani Shehu (Sanin Malam) – Special Adviser, Special Duties.

Others are Alh. Maijama’a Muhammad Mato – Special Adviser, Labour Matters, Barrister Abdullahi Aliyu – Special Adviser, Development Partners, Hon. Abdullahi Matori – Special Adviser, Assembly Liason, ?Alh. Sirajo Dada – Special Adviser, Special Projects and Alh. Muhammad Ghali Abdulhamid – Special Adviser, Youth Mobilization respectively.

Speaking with National Trail shortly after taking the oath of office, Alhaji Ali M Ali who was appointed as Special Adviser, Communications and Strategy, September 2017, said “it is like any other day, it is just business as usual, because having taking the oath of office before now, it is really a formality, but for those who are newly appointed the day is very special for them, but for me is just another day of work, but certainly is the moment of join, family, friends you can see you want share in the moment, but like me having grown in the newsroom, the newsroom culture is that I’m news hunt, we celebrate others, but we really celebrate our selves so, that is just it, that is my personal opinion, I’m not speaking on behalf of the others.”

On the expectation of his office, the Adviser said, well you can expect openness, you can expect cooperation, you can expect synergy, you can expect greater understanding for both side of government, like you know most of you, know my carrier, I may die as a reporter, in my next life again I would choose reporting and I would choose journalism, so you expect that I’m representing the media here in government, I see myself more of reporter really, so there would be more in and out flow of information between the government and the governed and between the government and also the media because without the media the government cannot really succeed and in return I expect my Colleagues on the other side that is you to also give us every now and again the benefit of the doubt, you give us a fair deal if you like, so this is what I promise you greater cooperation, greater synergy, we see the media because I’m from the media as partners in progress.

He said his governor is the listening governor, “that is why some of us are here” because of his openness, because most times he speaks straight to the heart, but you also have to understand that managing his image is one of many task of the governor.”