By Muhammad Amaan
Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in his spokesperson, Hon. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, as the new Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs.
Bature was sworn in alongside former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Balarabe Saidu Gani, who now heads the Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources.
The oath of office was administered by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, at Africa House, Government House, Kano.
Before his appointment, Bature served as Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, and official spokesperson to Governor Yusuf.
Governor Yusuf charged the two new commissioners to bring their wealth of experience to bear in tackling the challenges facing their ministries, particularly drug abuse and illegal mining.
He specifically tasked Bature to strengthen public sensitisation against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, and to promote collaboration among relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
The governor also directed him to work closely with the State Anti-Drug Task Force Committee to strengthen its activities, improve public awareness campaigns, and ensure effective utilisation of the newly commissioned drug rehabilitation centre.
He further urged Bature to strengthen and coordinate the state’s social media team to ensure professionalism, responsible communication, and effective dissemination of government activities and policies, in close collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies.
For Saidu, Governor Yusuf urged him to deploy his experience in the mining industry to reposition the state’s solid mineral sector.
He directed the new Commissioner for Solid Minerals to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other stakeholders to harness Kano’s mineral deposits for economic growth.
According to the governor, the ministry must focus on creating employment, promoting economic prosperity, and providing an enabling environment for investment.
He also charged Saidu to synergise with security agencies to protect the state’s natural resources and clamp down on illegal miners, describing the fight against illegal mining as a major responsibility of the ministry.
Governor Yusuf said his administration remains committed to repositioning the solid minerals sector as a major contributor to the state’s economic development.
He reminded both commissioners that their new portfolios are positions of trust that demand the highest standards of integrity, discipline and responsibility.
