Yobe appoints female permanent secretary to boost women inclusion
By Ahmed Abba
The Yobe Government has appointed Hajiya Hadiza Sabo as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, in a move aimed at strengthening leadership and promoting women’s inclusion in top public service roles.
She officially assumed duty during a brief handover ceremony at the ministry on Thursday, taking over from the Acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Balumi.
Sabo, the immediate past Provost of Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu, was appointed by Gov. Mai Buni as part of ongoing civil service leadership reforms in the state.
Her appointment is widely viewed as part of efforts to promote gender balance and enhance women’s participation in key decision-making positions within the state’s public administration system.
During the handover, Balumi congratulated Sabo and urged her to sustain inclusive leadership by ensuring all staff were carried along in the implementation of policies and programmes.
He advised her to remain patient and ensure that every staff member felt a sense of belonging, noting that such inclusiveness was essential for achieving effective institutional success.
Balumi also observed that Sabo’s long-standing experience within the state health system would promote continuity and strengthen service delivery across the ministry and its agencies.
In her response, Sabo expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence placed in her and pledged to justify the trust through dedicated and accountable service.
She called for cooperation from staff, promising to operate an open-door policy that would encourage participation, inclusiveness, and effective communication across all departments.
Sabo further urged staff to remain committed to duty, stressing that collective effort would be required to reposition the health sector for improved service delivery in the state.
She added that the ministry’s numerous agencies required synergy and shared responsibility to achieve optimal performance and sustainable healthcare outcomes across Yobe.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Permanent Secretary was accompanied by senior management staff of the college, as well as friends and well-wishers.
(NAN)
