Bauchi Moves to Rebuild Civil Service as Top Officials Undergo Intensive Training

By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has launched a fresh drive to revitalise its civil service, with senior officials undergoing a comprehensive training programme aimed at improving governance and public service delivery.

Speaking at the opening of the five-day capacity-building workshop in Bauchi on Monday, Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau said the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to reposition the civil service as an efficient engine for development.

He noted that the programme is both timely and strategic, pointing out that similar large-scale training for top civil servants had not taken place in more than 20 years.

According to him, upgrading the skills of senior government officials is key to promoting transparency, boosting efficiency and ensuring that policies are effectively implemented.

“The civil service is the backbone of governance, and strengthening its capacity is critical to delivering real development and quality services to citizens,” he said.

Jatau added that the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed has introduced a series of reforms, including investments in workforce development, digitisation of government operations and improved welfare for civil servants.

He further highlighted that regular salary payments and the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage have helped raise morale and productivity across the service.

Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service, Sani Umar, explained that the training is designed to close critical skill gaps among senior officials.

He said the programme focuses on strengthening competencies in areas such as official correspondence, report writing, speech drafting and records management—skills he described as essential for effective administration.

Umar expressed optimism that participants would apply the knowledge gained to improve professionalism and service delivery, in line with the government’s goal of building a more responsive and results-driven civil service.

The training brings together Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration and Human Resource officers drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the state.

APC Coalition Opposes Bala Mohammed’s Alleged Defection, Cites Risks to Party Unity

By Muhammad  Ahmad, Bauchi

A coalition operating under the banner of the APC Solidarity Group and Allied Associations has rejected reports of a planned defection by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such a move could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement jointly signed by the Director of Programmes and External Affairs, IB. Muhammad, and the group’s Secretary, Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to journalists on Friday in Bauchi, the coalition expressed strong reservations over the governor’s possible entry into the ruling party.

The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC, noting that the party had recently regained internal cohesion and renewed confidence among members, which it said was crucial for its electoral prospects in 2027, including continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the coalition, admitting Governor Mohammed into the party at this stage could undermine the fragile unity already achieved. It accused the governor of consistently criticising the APC-led Federal Government and raising allegations against the ruling party during his time in the opposition.

The statement also pointed to what it described as waning public support for the governor’s administration in Bauchi State, arguing that his political standing may not add value to the APC.

It further highlighted existing political tensions between Mohammed and key APC stakeholders, including former governor Isa Yuguda, ex-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Senator Shehu Buba Umar. The coalition warned that bringing the governor into the party could deepen divisions and trigger internal conflicts.

Beyond personality clashes, the group raised concerns about ideological differences and questioned the governor’s consistency in political alignment, suggesting that his defection could weaken party discipline and dampen the morale of long-standing members.

The coalition cautioned that accepting the governor could pose strategic challenges for the APC in Bauchi State, particularly as preparations intensify for the next election cycle.

Reiterating its position, the group declared that the governor, popularly known as “Kaura,” should not be admitted into the party, urging APC leaders to prioritise unity and stability.

It maintained that its stance was guided by a commitment to protect the integrity, cohesion, and electoral strength of the APC in the state.

Bauchi to Deploy Biometric Attendance in Health Facilities to Tackle Absenteeism

By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has unveiled plans to introduce a biometric attendance system across public health facilities as part of efforts to address absenteeism among health workers and improve healthcare delivery.

The Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Bauchi while receiving members of Advocacy for the Implementation of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Innovations in Nigeria.

He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening accountability in the health sector by closely monitoring the attendance and activities of healthcare workers, especially in facilities where patients often endure long waiting times due to staff lateness, absenteeism, and other operational lapses.

According to the commissioner, the visit by the advocacy team also created an avenue for the ministry to hear directly from communities on the difficulties they face in accessing healthcare services across the state.

Dr Mohammed noted that while health workers must be held accountable for their responsibilities, some delays in accessing care occur even before patients arrive at health facilities. He therefore urged caregivers and families to plan early when seeking medical attention, stressing that government efforts alone may not be enough to address every challenge confronting the sector.

He, however, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health services, revealing that a special welfare package had already been approved to boost the morale of health workers, attract more professionals into the system, and reduce manpower shortages in public facilities.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the Advocacy Champions, Shamsiyya Aliyu, highlighted several concerns raised by communities, including the shortage of skilled personnel, delays in referrals, and what she described as the poor attitude of some health workers, which she said continues to hinder access to quality healthcare in parts of Bauchi State.

Aliyu explained that the group was seeking stronger collaboration with the ministry to deepen public awareness on postpartum haemorrhage and encourage early antenatal registration, facility-based deliveries, postnatal care, and the adoption of innovative maternal and child health interventions across the state.

She said the project was being implemented by the AIM-MNCH Consortium, a partnership involving Pathfinder International Nigeria and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), alongside other key organisations working to improve maternal, newborn, and child healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

She added that the consortium also includes the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), all working together to strengthen collaboration and improve health outcomes for women and children across the country.

The planned deployment of the biometric attendance system is expected to form part of broader reforms by the Bauchi State government to enhance efficiency, accountability, and patient care within the health sector.