Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State on Thursday oversaw the official induction of 17 newly appointed commissioners, forming the core of the state executive council for his ongoing second term, which commenced on May 29, 2023. Subsequently, the governor assigned these commissioners to their respective ministries.
In addition to the commissioners, three chief advisers to the governor and one permanent secretary were also sworn in during a ceremony held at the multipurpose hall of the government house in Maiduguri. The Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, administered the oaths of office.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Zulum expressed his profound satisfaction, describing the event as a momentous occasion in the annals of the state’s political history. He emphasized the significance of the Honourable Commissioners, who constitute the Borno State Executive Council, in aiding him to fulfill his leadership responsibilities during his second term as the Executive Governor of the state.
Governor Zulum proceeded to announce the allocations of roles to the 17 commissioners. Notable assignments included Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, who was assigned to the Ministry of Justice; Engr Dr Babagana Mallambe Mustapha to the Ministry of Budget and Planning; Zuwaira Gambo to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; Engr Mustapha Gubio to the Ministry of Works and Housing; Engr Emat Kois to the Ministry of Environment; Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe to the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Sugun Mai Mele to the Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs; Engr Tijjani Goni Alkali to the Ministry of Water Resources; and Professor Usman A Tar to the Ministry of Information and Internal Security.
Among others, Alhaji Babagana Malarima was appointed to the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Engr Ibrahim Idriss Garba to the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement; Professor Baba M Gana to the Ministry of Health; Ahmed Ali Ahmed to the Ministry of Finance; Engr Bawu Musami to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Mr Tarfaya Asriya to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Investment; Hon Saina Buba to the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, Sports, and Youth Development; and Hon Tukur Ibrahim to the Ministry of Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties.
The trio of Chief Advisers were introduced as follows: Dr Mairo Mandara, Chief Adviser and Coordinator of Sustainable Development, Partnership, and Humanitarian Support; Amb. Adam Abbas, Chief Policy Analyst and Research; and Barr. Simon Malgwi as Chief Adviser on legal and administrative matters. Furthermore, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busiguma, the principal secretary at the Government House, was sworn in as the permanent secretary in the Borno State Civil Service.
The ceremony enjoyed the presence of distinguished attendees including Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Senators Kaka Shehu Lawan and Mohammed Tahir Monguno, members of the House of Representatives and the State Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, the Shehu of Dikwa, Ibrahim Umar Ibn Alameen Elkabemi, and the representative of the Shehu of Borno, Ibrahim Wadaima of Borno, alongside other prominent government officials.
