Gov. Sani Bello urges incoming governor to prioritize transparency, accountability
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has advised the incoming Governor, Umar Bago, to prioritize transparency and accountability in his administration, emphasizing that these principles are crucial for good governance.
This advice was conveyed in a press release signed by Mary Noel-Berje, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State.
During the inauguration lecture for Umar Bago and Yakubu Garba at the Idris Legbo Kutiigi International Conference Hall in Minna, Governor Sani Bello stated that transparency and accountability would help the incoming Governor gain the support and confidence of the people.
He also highlighted the state’s recent achievement, receiving an award on the accountability index from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for ranking 5th and 4th in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Governor Sani Bello further advised the incoming Governor to assemble a competent team that shares his vision, emphasizing the importance of training and retraining the staff of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Reflecting on his own experience, he acknowledged that the perspective of governance from outside differs from the reality of being in government. He urged the next administration to prioritize staff development to effectively implement their programs.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Niger State for their support during his tenure, Governor Abubakar called upon them to extend the same support to the incoming administration for the betterment of the state.
Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Chairman of the occasion and Former Governor of Kano State, commended the incoming administration for seeking knowledge and advice from technocrats and experienced politicians to learn from their experiences and avoid mistakes.
He encouraged the incoming Governor of Niger State and his team to focus on and invest in education as a priority area that would yield significant results. He also urged them to build upon the progress made by the previous administration.
In response, the Governor-elect, Umar Bago, expressed readiness to adopt an open-door policy in his administration, welcoming advice and directions from individuals. He conveyed optimism that his administration would surpass expectations.
Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of good democratic governance at both the state and national levels.
He attributed the prevailing insecurity in certain parts of the country to poor governance and called for a review of the governance structure, mechanisms, and processes. He also advocated for increased use of technology to strengthen the nation’s democratic process.
