Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has warned newly appointed commissioners and special advisers that his administration will not tolerate inefficiency, complacency or administrative lapses as it approaches the end of its eight-year tenure in 2027.

Yahaya gave the warning on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony for the new appointees at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, saying the appointments were intended to strengthen governance, consolidate existing achievements and accelerate the completion of ongoing projects.

He said the administration, which began in May 2019, had recorded progress across several sectors despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recessions, fiscal pressures and security concerns.

The governor urged the appointees to regard their appointments as a responsibility to serve the public rather than an opportunity for personal advancement.

“Your appointments are not opportunities for ceremonial leadership or personal advancement. They are calls to service which demand diligence, sacrifice, sound judgement and an unwavering commitment to the public good,” he said.

Yahaya directed the commissioners to familiarise themselves with the policies, programmes and projects of their respective ministries and work closely with permanent secretaries and other senior officials to ensure effective coordination and prudent management of public resources.

“At this stage of our administration, we have neither the luxury of time nor the resources to accommodate inefficiency, complacency or administrative lapses,” he warned.

He also tasked the special advisers with providing practical and timely recommendations to support executive decision-making, identify emerging challenges and improve policy implementation.

The governor said the remaining months of his administration should be marked by renewed commitment, discipline and stronger service delivery rather than a slowdown in government activities.

He highlighted investments in roads, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, environmental protection, urban development and institutional reforms as areas requiring continued attention before the administration leaves office.

Yahaya also cited reforms in the civil service, land administration and local government administration, describing them as efforts to improve efficiency and responsiveness in public institutions.

He warned the appointees against corruption, indiscipline and abuse of office, stressing that public office must be exercised in the interest of the people.

“Our administration will not tolerate corruption, indiscipline, abuse of office, or any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of government,” he said.

The governor called for teamwork and mutual respect among commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and other public officials, cautioning against unhealthy rivalry and the pursuit of personal interests at the expense of government responsibilities.

He commended the Gombe State House of Assembly for the prompt screening and confirmation of the commissioner-nominees, noting that cooperation between the executive and legislature had supported the implementation of the administration’s development agenda.

Among the newly appointed officials are Ahmed Wali Doho, assigned to Special Duties and Regional Cooperation; Nasiru Adamu Degri, appointed Commissioner for Water Resources; and Muhammad A. Bello, appointed to Policy Coordination and Performance Tracking.

Abdulmalik Musa Jibrin was named Special Adviser on Transportation, while Mohammed Bashir Nuhu was appointed Special Adviser on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Adamu Inuwa Pantami was also appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties.

Meanwhile, Shehu Yerima Abdullahi was redeployed to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to fill an existing vacancy.

Yahaya congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them through competence, integrity and commitment to public service.

He said his administration remained determined to hand over a Gombe State that was better than the one it inherited in 2019, citing infrastructure development, stronger institutions and expanded opportunities as key priorities.

The governor also called on residents to support government officials in promoting peace, prosperity and sustainable development across the state.