Kaduna: El-Rufai Reshuffles Cabinet
By Oladapo Okeowo with agency report
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai has reshuffled his cabinet.
This was disclosed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, on Tuesday.
The reshuffle, which was announced during the State Executive Council meeting, included swapping of commissioners, removal of commissioners, appointment of permanent secretaries and retirements.
The commissioners swapping portfolios are: Amina Sijuwade (Ministry of Justice to Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources); Dr Maigari Manzo (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism); Shehu Balarabe (Ministry of Environment to become Commissioner, Stakeholder Relations), while Mohammed Bashir Saidu who is now Chief of Staff, relinquishes the office of Commissioner for Local Government.
Others include: Rabi Abdulsalam, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, who becomes Special Adviser on Social Development, and Dr Shehu Usman Adamu, former Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, who returns to the academia.
The governor nominated four commissioners for confirmation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
They are Umma Hikima, Clerk of the House of Assembly as Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Prof. Kabiru Mato, currently Special Adviser, Intergovernmental Relations, as Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry.
Also nominated was Hafsat Baba as Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Jafaru Sani, Permanent Secretary Cabinet Affairs, as Commissioner for Local Government.
The governor also reassigned three special advisers namely Uba Sani as Special Adviser, Political Matters and Intergovernmental Relations, Chris Umar, Deputy Chief of Staff is to become Solicitor-General, while Murtala Dabo, Special Adviser, Economic Matters, was appointed Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.
The appointment of eight new permanent secretaries was announced.
Mohammed Mahmoud Shuaibu (Ministry of Health and Human Services); Chris Umar (Ministry of Justice); Rabilu Shehu Ibrahim (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources): Joseph Steven (Ministry of Local Government).
Also appointed as permanent secretaries were Habiba Anana Shekarau (General Services, Office of the SSG); Lawrence Shemang (Ministry of Water Resources); Murtala Dabo (Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport); Mr Abdullahi Sani (Cabinet Affairs and Special Services, Office of the SSG).
The governor thanked everyone for having contributed to the success of his administration.
