…Says Every LGA Deserves Opportunity to Produce Top Civil Servants
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Wednesday swore in four newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a professional, efficient and merit-driven civil service.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Malam Abdu Usman, Dr. Sani Suleiman, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya Suleiman and Dr. Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna.
Speaking shortly after administering the Oath of Office at the Government House in Katsina, Governor Radda said the appointments reflected his administration’s determination to reward competence, hard work and professionalism rather than personal connections.
“The entire selection process was conducted in accordance with established civil service procedures. These appointments were based on merit, and those sworn in today earned their positions through hard work, competence and dedication,” the governor said.
Governor Radda congratulated the new Permanent Secretaries and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through integrity, accountability, professionalism and dedicated service to the people of Katsina State.
He stressed that the Oath of Office should serve as a constant reminder of their responsibility to the government and the people.
“The Oath of Office is not merely a ceremony. It is a commitment to integrity, accountability and faithful service. If you live by its principles, you will succeed and leave behind a legacy worthy of emulation.”
The governor noted that the appointments reflected geographical inclusiveness, with the new Permanent Secretaries drawn from different local government areas of the state.
However, he expressed concern that some local government areas could not produce eligible candidates because they lacked officers at the required grade level or with the necessary qualifications to participate in the selection process.
“It is our hope and prayer that, in the coming years, every Local Government Area in Katsina State will produce qualified officers capable of competing successfully and serving as Permanent Secretaries.”
Reaffirming his administration’s civil service reform agenda, Governor Radda said every public servant should have a fair opportunity to advance based on performance and competence.
“Our goal is to build a civil service where every individual has the opportunity to rise based on merit—not because of who they know, where they come from or family connections. Merit, competence, integrity and hard work must always come first.”
The governor charged the new Permanent Secretaries to uphold fairness, transparency and due process in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), particularly in appointments, promotions and career progression.
He also urged directors and other senior civil servants to mentor younger officers through knowledge transfer and capacity-building initiatives to ensure continuity in the public service.
“I urge our senior civil servants to continue mentoring younger officers and building their capacity. It is through this commitment that we will sustain the reforms and ensure continuity in the civil service.”
Governor Radda expressed confidence that the new Permanent Secretaries would strengthen the ongoing transformation of the state civil service and improve service delivery across government institutions.
He added that his administration would continue to strengthen institutional capacity, promote professionalism and deepen digital transformation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make the civil service more responsive to the needs of citizens.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are accomplished professionals with extensive experience in public service.
Malam Abdu Usman holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration and has more than three decades of experience in the Katsina State Civil Service. He has served with KSACDP/IFAD, KTARDA, the Government House, KATSACA, government boards and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Dr. Sani Suleiman obtained his MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. He has served at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), General Hospitals across Katsina State, the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Services Management Board.
Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya Suleiman holds an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, a Master’s Degree in Health Economics from Bayero University, Kano, and a Ph.D. in Public Health. He previously served as Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, where he led reforms to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Dr. Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna holds professional qualifications in Dental Health, Community Health and Public Health, including a Master’s Degree in Public Health. He has served in General Hospitals and the Primary Health Care Management Agency, and also served as Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Katsina State Council, and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
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