Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has advocated for a single term tenure for state Governors in Nigeria instead of the current two terms tenure obtained in the country.
He stated this while swearing in thirty new commissioners, board members, and chairmen of local governments alongside their deputies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Bago declared December 12 every year as a public holiday to encourage women’s participation in politics.
The inauguration followed eight days of intensive leadership training in governance.
The first set of officials sworn in by the State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, represented by Maimuna Abubakar of High Court Six, were the vice chairpersons of the 25 local government areas, all of whom are women.
Governor Bago said the decision to reserve all vice chairperson positions for women underscores his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion.
He urged the newly sworn-in women leaders to remain resolute in politics so they can rise to positions traditionally dominated by men.
The thirty new commissioners appointed at the event replaced the former cabinet, which was dissolved after two years in office for what the governor described as failure to achieve the state’s development goals.
Governor Bago stressed that the new commissioners were selected based on proven track records. He expressed concern over declining societal values and called on appointees and residents to support the government in realizing the New Niger Agenda.
Some of the commissioner designates pledged to contribute meaningfully once assigned to their respective ministries.
A highlight of the event was the observance of a one-minute silence for the safe return of the remaining missing pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri.
COV Aliyu Lawal.
