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Dr Umar Bindir is the Secretary to State Government of Adamawa State. In this interview with TOM GARBA, the SSG spoke on the recent appointment of Engr. B D Lawal as the new Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), among other salient issues. Excerpts
Sir, what is your take on the recent appointment of Engr B. D. Lawal as the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)?
It is an exciting development because we have one of the federal public servants at the top level who is from Adamawa and can facilitate many things for the development of the state. Secondly, we are happy for him, he has been there as a public servant. Politically now, he will complete the circuit of development to the overall benefit of the country. With the passion of the President who is pushing social change in a transparent way with zero tolerance for corruption with capacity to harness untapped resources to develop the country. So naturally as Adamawa people, we are happy.
Should you be called out for another for national assignment now, what will be your reaction?
I’m always prepared to deploy my energy in the service of the people. How I became the secretary to the government of Adamawa is certainly by the grace of God. Even how I became the director-general of the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion was by the grace of God. Therefore, anything that comes my way to serve my people I will take it wholeheartedly. I am ready to serve at all times and at whatever level.
Governor Bindow has sworn in a cabinet of 22 commissioners. How will this affect the people who are yearning for change?
As you know, Adamawa is yearning for development. This is probably one of the weakest state if you look at the poverty index in Adamawa State. We are very weak, our infrastructure are very weak. We have experienced a most unfortunate situation in the country as the state has been attacked by insurgents, causing serious underdevelopment. And every year during the rainy season there is flooding, with many farmlands and houses submerged by floods.
However, the opportunities in this state are also enormous. It is only in Adamawa State that you will find top management public servants from chiefs to directors, deputy directors, permanent secretary and deputy permanent secretary. Over 90% of these public servants are actually university graduates, which is rare, Secondly, our diversity is enormous. To me, this is an opportunity untapped. Third, Adamawa people are not known for been hungry and we will never be hungry by God’s grace reasons being that we are subsistence farmers; we have a wide range of arable lands where legumes and three crops can grow, which is another opportunity yet untapped. The rivers and waters around us are a big opportunity to tap.
The only problem Adamawa state is having is leadership, but thank God for the leadership of Senator Mohammadu Umaru Jibrila Bindow. He has already started showcasing some innovative leadership. This is somebody who call his team the dream team comprising of young people with high technical knowhow to drive the state to safer grounds.
He has sworn in 22 commissioners composed of highly intelligent people. During a meeting, the governor was very transparent with them and he gave them the go ahead to bring their knowledge to bear on the development of the state. I am excited to be part of this team. I am anxious to answer the clarion call of the Bindow Social Change, to change the state socially, economically and structurally. He has started some roads network in the city. I hope that in few years to come, Adamawa will have a full network of roads with constant electricity.
So in a nutshell I cannot be at home at any better time. I think, and hope I am right, that we look towards a better change. We have a very high order in terms of performance indicator.
A comment made by the chief of staff some few weeks ago that the governor would hire pastors and Imams to pray for him to the tune of N200 million is now generating hot debate both within and outside the state. Let me tell you one thing. I have not seen a human being who has put every atom of energy into what he is doing more than Abdulrahaman Abba Jimeta. This a very hardworking young man, he is very articulate and neck deep into the politics of Adamawa State. He is what I call the total local politician in the state; very useful. However, he is a resource that must be managed well and what was attributed to him I think was completely misconstrued. One of the problem of communicating in the social media either in English, Hausa or Fulfulde once you are misunderstood on an issue, it can actually mar the entire original intention of the whole issue.
Adamawa is rich in tribal, regional culture and religious diversity. What the chief of staff is trying to say is that all hand must be on deck, that is the Pastors, Imams, youths leaders and woman leaders must be mobilised. That word ‘mobilise’, to some people, means funding. He actually means that people should be security conscious, If an Imam will have an opportunity on Friday please inject issues of security concern into your sermon. Likewise Pastors who always face their congregation on Sunday please inject issues of security consciousness in your sermon.
But because mobilization in the context of politics means financial investment that is probably what went out of shape. I can assure you the Chief of Staff in the person of Abdulrahaman Abba Jimeta is a very kind man; a very hardworking man. As I am talking you, that particular misunderstanding has actually broken his heart and I feel it too. However we are all human beings we learn from our experiences and I know he did. I learned from the experience too. It also means when you take leadership, it has a price you must pay at one point or the other.
Sir, you mean he is regretting his statement?
I think yes. He did not make the statement and regrets the public perception of it, which made him feel bad. As the SSG, I can assure you that there is no N200 million to give to Imams and Pastors.
Is that why he’s not been coming for any state functions like before?
Like any human being if something of this nature happens to you, you slow down, review steps ,realign and panel-beat yourself for better operations. Abdulrahaman is a public figure; he cannot can shy away from the public.
Has he not been caged out of the system as many presume?
No! no! Abdulraham is still part of this government. As a top member of the management team nobody has ever tell me this. Beside Governor Bindow is not that kind of person. If he does not like you, from day one you will know. The governor’s body language still says that Abdulrahaman is still very strongly part of this government.
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