By Seyi Odewale
Governor Abba Yusuf has approved a major restructuring of his advisory team, appointing new Special Advisers and reassigning several serving aides to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in Kano State.
The changes were announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
As part of the reorganisation, the Governor scrapped the offices of Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs and Special Adviser on Liaison Offices (Abuja), with the affected officials redeployed to other responsibilities.
Habiba Mustapha Barwa, formerly Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs, has been reassigned as Special Adviser, Special Duties (Women), while Umar Uba Akawu, who served as Special Adviser on Liaison Offices, was redeployed as Special Adviser, Cabinet Office (Political).
Other reassignments include Akibu Isa Murtala, who moved from Special Adviser (Administration), Governor’s Office, to Special Adviser on Human Resources; Ibrahim Adam, who was reassigned from Information to Social Media; and Nasiru Isa Dikko, who moved from NGOs to Empowerment.
The Governor also appointed Bello Nuhu Bello, formerly Senior Special Assistant on Administration, as Special Adviser, Administration, Governor’s Office.
In another development, Ahmed Muhammad Aruwa, the immediate past Publicity Secretary of the APC in Kano State, was appointed Special Adviser on Publicity.
Buhari Sule Kura was named Special Adviser on Non-Governmental Organizations, while Yahuza Ado Yankaba was elevated from Senior Special Assistant to Special Adviser on Motor Parks.
Other new appointees are Ahmed Tijjani Musa, Ibrahim Hamisu Rimi, Mustapha Abdullahi Rabiu Kura, Bashir Abdullahi Kutama, Naziru Abdullahi Karaye and Tahir Ado Rabiu. Their specific portfolios are expected to be announced later.
According to the statement, the restructuring is intended to “optimise administrative efficiency and align government institutions with the priorities of the administration.”
Yusuf congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through commitment, loyalty and dedication to public service.
He also reminded them that “public office is a trust that must be deployed for the advancement of Kano State and the wellbeing of its citizens.”
The statement added that officials affected by the scrapped offices have been directed to report to the Secretary to the State Government for further briefing. At the same time, portfolios for some of the newly appointed advisers will be announced upon the Governor’s return to the country.
