“What change means, is that everyone is representing President Muhammadu Buhari. That means we must be honest. We must tell the truth. We are not saying you should not aim higher. For those of you who want to be Lawmakers or governor, you must do the job you have at hand now. You must do the job you’ve been appointed to do.
“These were the words of the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai when he swore in the new commissioners for the state today.
Governor El-Rufai advised the new commissioners to be the change that the new administrations at the federal and state levels stand, adding that they were chosen on merit since none of them lobbied for their appointment.
“The commissioners were not appointed to represent their local government, religion or ethnic group. They were appointed to serve the people.
“You may not be the best, only God knows the best. But you are the best we know. We are representing change. That is what the people of Kaduna State want. The change should not be through mouth, but by action. The way you dress and the way you walk to the offices matters. It will show the people that there is change.
“We will defend you both privately and publicly. If you do wrong, we will tell you what you do wrong. None of us will interfere in your Ministries. If anyone comes to you claiming he or she is from me or from the Deputy Governor, please subject that person to full due process”.
El-Rufai also urged the commissioners to work in harmony with the permanent secretaries, stressing “many of the Permanent Secretaries are older than you (the commissioners) but you must take charge because you are the bosses. But you must listen to them. You can still overrule them, but you must listen to them. If there is disagreement, meet the head of service, SSG, Deputy Governor or myself.”
The governor urged the commissioners not to follow old ways of doing things at all times saying, “If they said this is how it is done, don’t accept it. We are in the 21 century and we must get it right.
They have worked for 20-35 years, but we must work nine times daily than the civil servants. The Permanent secretaries too must work four times than how they were working during the past years.” [myad]
