In a statement issued by the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the governor has approved the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Awwal Aliyu as the new executive secretary with immediate effect. The SSG, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, in the statement made available to journalists in Minna, said that the appointment of Aliyu was based on professionalism, merit, proven credentials, integrity, and outstanding records of decades of experience.
The state Pilgrims Welfare Board is responsible for ensuring that Niger State pilgrims receive the best possible treatment during their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. As such, the role of the executive secretary is crucial to the success of the board's operations, and any change in leadership is bound to attract attention.
Many residents of Niger State have expressed surprise at the governor's decision to remove Makun, especially given that he had been preparing the state for this year's hajj. Some have speculated that the decision may have been politically motivated, while others have suggested that there may have been concerns over the management of the board's finances.
However, the statement from the SSG did not provide any insight into the reasons for Makun's removal, leaving Nigerians to continue to speculate. Many have called on the governor to provide a more detailed explanation for his decision, given the importance of the Pilgrims Welfare Board to the state's residents.
Meanwhile, the new executive secretary, Aliyu, has been urged to hit the ground running and ensure that the board continues to operate at the highest level of efficiency. Matane reminded Aliyu that he is expected to comply with the operational structure and policy objectives as contained in the state Pilgrims Welfare Board.
“The new executive secretary is also expected to bring his knowledge, skills, and wealth of experience to bear in the performance of his new assignment by working assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him," Matane added.
Many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the new executive secretary performs in his new role, particularly in light of the governor's decision to remove Makun so close to this year's hajj. The board's operations are critical to the success of the pilgrimage, and any mismanagement or inefficiencies could have far-reaching consequences for the state's residents.
For now, the reasons for Makun's removal remain unclear, but it is clear that the board will need to continue to operate at the highest level of efficiency to ensure that Niger State pilgrims receive the best possible treatment during their pilgrimage to Mecca.