Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has given his approval for the appointment of senior government officials who will assume key positions in the state administration. In light of his extensive experience in governance, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Balarabe Lawal, has been retained to facilitate a smooth transition into the new administration. The previous governor had advised the new governor to assemble a competent team capable of assisting in governance, much like he had done over the past eight years.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mohammed Shehu, several senior members of the Nasir El-Rufai Administration have also been retained to establish a link between the two administrations. Muhammad Hafiz Bayero has been appointed as Senior Advisor Counsellor to the Governor, while Barrister James Atung Kanyip and Chris Umar will serve as Deputy Chiefs of Staff to the Governor. Dr. Shehu Usman Muhammad and Bulus Banquo Audu have been appointed as Counsellors to the Governor.
Additionally, Governor Uba Sani has approved the appointment of Sani Liman as the new Chief of Staff. Liman previously served as the Comptroller of Immigration Service in both Kano and Kaduna State Commands. He holds a Bachelor of Education in English from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master of Science degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the Open University of Nigeria. Liman has also undergone various courses in Corporate Leadership, People Management, and Intelligence Management.
Similarly, Habiba Shekarau has been appointed as the new Head of Service. Shekarau, currently serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Local Government Affairs, possesses over thirty years of experience in the Kaduna State Civil Service. She has previously held positions such as Permanent Secretary (General Service) in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service Commission, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
These appointments have been made to ensure that the state has capable individuals with relevant expertise who can assist the new administration in achieving its sustained agenda. The list of appointees also includes individuals assigned to various senior positions and special assistant roles within the government they are Zainab Mohammed, Senior Special Assistant (Kashim Ibrahim Fellows); Jewel Tokpa, Senior Special Assistant (COS’s Office); Umar Maikudi, Senior Special Assistant (Economic Matters); Shuaibu Kabir Bello, Senior Special Assistant (ICT); Maureen Okogwu-Ikokwu, Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties); Maryam Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant (Inter-Governmental Relations); Muhammad Bashir Aliyu, Senior Special Assistant (PPS’s Office); and Iliasu Mamman as Senior Special Assistant (Protocol, Abuja).