Radda Swears in Four Permanent Secretaries

Radda Swears in Four Permanent Secretaries

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 new 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 Government House, Katsina, Radda said their appointment was a reward for 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.

Radda congratulated the new Permanent Secretaries and charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through integrity, accountability, professionalism and more dedication to the service of the people.

He stressed that the Oath of Office must serve as a constant reminder of their responsibility to the government and people of the state.

“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,” he said.

The governor also said the new Permanent Secretaries were from different Local Government Areas, which is a deliberate effort to promote inclusion and equal opportunity within the state civil service.

He expressed concern that some local government Areas could not produce eligible candidates because they had no 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 approach to civil service reform, the Governor said every officer should have a fair opportunity of progression, 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,” he said.

Radda charged the new appointees to uphold fairness, transparency and due process in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, particularly in appointments, promotions and career progression.

He also urged Directors and other senior civil servants to take seriously, the responsibility of developing younger officers through mentorship, knowledge transfer and capacity building.

“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,” the Governor added.

Radda expressed confidence that the new Permanent Secretaries would strengthen the ongoing transformation of the state civil service and contribute to improved service delivery across government institutions.