Bauchi State Government

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Burra Community in Ningi Local Government Area has appealed to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to include the Ningi–Burra and Burra–Toro roads among the projects to be financed under the recently secured US$91.6 million ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) facility.

In an open letter, the community congratulated the governor on securing the fund for 24 strategic road and bridge projects, describing it as a major boost to infrastructure and economic development in Bauchi State.

The community said the two roads are vital economic corridors linking Burra with Ningi, Toro, and neighbouring parts of Kano and Plateau states. It noted that their poor condition has increased transport costs, restricted access to healthcare and education, delayed the movement of farm produce, and exposed commuters to security risks.

It urged the governor to prioritize the roads, saying their rehabilitation would improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents in the Burra Emirate and reinforce his administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

The community also called for transparency and public participation in implementing the EBID-funded projects to ensure value for money and public confidence.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A journalist in Bauchi State, Muhammad Sani Mu’azu, has expressed deep concern over the plight of some retired government workers, especially former journalists, who are yet to receive their gratuities.

Muhammad Sani Mu’azu made the remarks in a post on his Facebook page, noting that the will left by the late veteran journalist, Malam Dalhat Hamid Bello, deeply troubled him. The will urged Bello’s children to use his gratuity to settle debts owed to him, highlighting the difficult circumstances the late journalist faced after retirement.

According to Muhammad Sani, Malam Dalhat Hamid Bello often called him to give advice on work and life, particularly on reducing stress and workload. However, Bello never openly expressed regret for dedicating his life to public service. Muhammad Sani said the frequent advice indicated that Bello had faced challenges after leaving government service.

He emphasized that no work he has done at the radio station, or may do in the future, could match the level of sacrifice shown by Malam Dalhat Hamid Bello. What surprised him, he added, was that the late journalist often advised him to take things easy. He described this as a valuable lesson for young journalists.

Muhammad Sani noted that if Malam Dalhat Bello’s gratuity had been paid on time, it would have prevented the need to publicize his will on social media or wait until the government made a posthumous payment.

He praised the Bauchi State Government for its promise to settle the late journalist’s gratuity, calling it commendable and expressing good wishes for the governor. However, he added that “there is still a long way to go.”

The journalist also pointed out that many retirees, like Malam Dalhat, are still alive but desperately in need of their gratuities. Some of these are former journalists who dedicated their lives to public service but now live in hardship.

He explained that a typical trait of retired journalists is to hide their struggles. Even in difficult circumstances, they often appear cheerful and well-dressed, while close family members know the hardships they endure.

Muhammad Sani Mu’azu appealed to the Bauchi State Governor to show compassion to other retirees yet to receive their gratuities. He urged the government to act promptly, even if it means borrowing funds, so that these workers can be paid while still alive, rather than waiting until death to release large sums to their heirs.

By Uzair Adam

The Bauchi State Government has dismissed two senior officers from its Civil Service after they were found guilty of forgery.

Mr Saleh Umar, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (BSCSC), confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Bauchi.

He explained that the officers, Mr Yusuf Ningi, an Administrative Officer, and Mr Suleiman Ahmed, a Principal Executive Officer I, were dismissed during the commission’s 35th plenary session held on Tuesday.

Umar said the officers were indicted for forgery, an offence that contravenes the State Public Service Rule 0327 (ii, iii and vi).

“The officers were posted to Government House from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and their dismissal took effect from Sept. 23,” he stated.

He also quoted the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad, as urging civil servants to always work in line with the Public Service Rules and Regulations, as well as internal and external circulars guiding their duties.

Muhammad stressed that strict adherence to laid-down laws would protect workers from unlawful practices and enhance quality service delivery, free of corruption.

The chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to promoting ethical conduct, integrity, and the rule of law within the state civil service.

Meanwhile, the plenary also formalised the promotion of three substantive directors into the State Civil Service and endorsed the elevation of four Deputy Directors to Directors, covering Administration, Human Resources, Audit, Planning, Research, Statistics, Civil Litigation, Land and Valuation.

Others promoted include eight Chief State Councils and a Chief Land Officer to the rank of Deputy Directors.

It can be recalled that on Sept. 11, the commission also dismissed an Education Officer over alleged gross misconduct involving sexual harassment.