Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has urged newly appointed political office holders to demonstrate integrity, fairness and commitment as they assume responsibilities in Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
Balarabe gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of three commissioners, 18 special advisers, a Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) and a Counsellor on Infrastructure.
She administered the oaths of allegiance and office to the appointees, reminding them that their positions carried serious responsibilities to the people of Kaduna State.
The deputy governor explained that the oaths, provided for under the Seventh Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, were binding commitments rather than routine formalities.
“The Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office are not mere words because they bind you before God and the people of Kaduna State to serve faithfully,” she said.
She described public office as a responsibility that demands humility, courage, honesty and dedication rather than an opportunity for personal privilege.
According to Balarabe, Governor Sani approved the appointments because of his confidence in the appointees’ experience, abilities and capacity to contribute to the state’s development.
She urged them to see their new positions as an opportunity to achieve more for the people rather than simply recognition of their previous accomplishments.
Balarabe Defends Appointments Amid Election Season
Addressing concerns about the timing of the appointments, the deputy governor maintained that the administration would not allow the approaching election season to distract it from governance.
She said the needs of residents remained important regardless of the political calendar.
“Elections have their calendar, but the needs of our people do not wait for it,” Balarabe stated.
She added that Governor Sani remained committed to fulfilling his promises without discrimination based on political affiliation, ethnicity or religion.
The deputy governor said the administration was working towards a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Kaduna State where every community would have opportunities to benefit from development.
Kaduna Government Highlights Achievements Since 2023
Balarabe also outlined some of the administration’s achievements since taking office in May 2023.
She said communities previously affected by conflicts were gradually rebuilding relationships through the Kaduna Peace Model.
According to her, farmlands that residents had abandoned because of insecurity were reopening, while commercial activities were returning to local markets.
In the education sector, she disclosed that more than 500 schools previously closed because of insecurity had reopened.
She also claimed that over 300,000 out-of-school children returned to classrooms in 2025 alone.
The deputy governor added that the government had constructed hundreds of classrooms, renovated existing facilities and trained tens of thousands of teachers.
On healthcare, Balarabe said the administration had upgraded 255 primary healthcare centres to Level Two.
She noted that work was also continuing to improve general hospitals across the state.
For infrastructure, she disclosed that approximately 160 road projects, covering about 1,335 kilometres, were underway across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas.
She also identified the proposed light rail and bus rapid transit projects as part of the administration’s long-term transportation plans.
Full List of Newly Sworn-in Kaduna Commissioners
The three commissioners who took their oaths of office are:
- Hon. Benjamin Dalhat Solomon Kure – Sports Development.
- Hon. Amina Akilu Dalhat – Special Duties I.
- Abdullahi Garba Abbas – Special Duties II.
Dr Haliru Musa Soba also took the oath as Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration).
Similarly, Engr. Balarabe Muhammad Bello was sworn in as Counsellor on Infrastructure.
Eighteen special advisers also took their oaths during the ceremony. However, their names were not provided in the statement.
Deputy Governor Tasks Appointees on Service Delivery
Balarabe urged the new officials to maintain close relationships with grassroots communities and ensure residents experience the benefits of government policies.
She said their performance would determine how effectively they justified the confidence placed in them by the governor.
“Let your performance be the argument that convinces the sceptical and the proof that justifies the trust of the supportive,” she said.
She challenged the appointees to translate their appointments into practical results that would improve governance and development across Kaduna State.