The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has urged newly appointed political officeholders to discharge their duties with integrity, fairness and commitment to the development of the state.
Balarabe gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in of three commissioners, 18 special advisers, a Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) and a Counsellor on Infrastructure.
The three commissioners sworn in were Benjamin Kure for Sports Development; Amina Dalhat for Special Duties I; and Abdullahi Abbas for Special Duties II.
Dr Haliru Musa Soba was sworn in as Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), while Balarabe Bello took the oath as Counsellor on Infrastructure.
Eighteen special advisers were also sworn in at the ceremony.
She reminded the appointees of the significance of the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, as prescribed by the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, saying the oaths carried serious obligations to the government and the people.
“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.
The deputy governor described the ceremony as more than the conferment of titles, noting that public office was a responsibility that required humility, integrity, courage and dedication.
“It is a moment of trust, a call to service, and a solemn reminder that leadership is not a privilege to be enjoyed, but a responsibility to be carried with humility, integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the people,” she said.
Balarabe said the appointments reflected Governor Uba Sani’s confidence in the appointees’ abilities, experience and capacity to contribute to the development of the state.
She urged the appointees to regard their appointments not merely as recognition of past achievements but as a challenge to deliver greater results for the people.
Defending the timing of the appointments amid preparations for the next elections, the deputy governor said governance should not be put on hold because of the political calendar.
“Elections have their calendar, but the needs of our people do not wait for it,” she said.
Balarabe said the governor remained committed to fulfilling his promises to the people, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliations, to build a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Kaduna State.
She highlighted what she described as progress recorded by the administration since May 2023, including efforts to reconcile communities affected by conflict under the Kaduna Peace Model, the reopening of farmlands and the revival of markets.
According to her, more than 500 schools previously closed because of insecurity have reopened, while over 300,000 out-of-school children returned to classrooms in 2025 alone.
She added that hundreds of classrooms had been constructed, existing facilities renovated and thousands of teachers trained.
In the health sector, Balarabe said 255 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded to Level Two, while improvements were ongoing in general hospitals across the state, among others.
She urged the newly sworn-in officials to serve as a bridge between the government and the grassroots, stressing that their performance would determine public confidence in the administration.
“Let your performance be the argument that convinces the sceptical and the proof that justifies the trust of the supportive,” she said.