Borno State Governor Denies Appointing Chibok Principal As Commissioner Of Education

According to reports, a denial
issued by Isa Gusau, Special Adviser
on Communications and Strategy to
Governor Shettima read, ''In the last
one week, we have noticed a very
strange information being circulated
by some online media platforms
claiming that Governor Kashim
Shettima of Borno State had
nominated Mrs Asabe Kwambura,
Principal of Government Secondary
School, Chibok for the post of
commissioner for education''.

''We completely ignored the story for
what it was, a mischievous joke and
cheap blackmail that didn’t deserve
any response as it was mainly
‘trending’ on the social media.

''However, we noticed and most
unfortunately, that in recent days,
some otherwise respected F.M stations
reported such a joke without even
making the slightest attempt to cross
check with officials in Borno State
Government or at least, find out from
journalists or media houses that have
correspondents resident in Borno
State who are in position to have
accurate information about the
activities of Governor Kashim
Shettima and general happenings in
the State.

''To start with, neither a President nor
a Governor nominates anyone as
Minister or Commissioner for a
particular ministry. The usual practice
is to nominate someone as Minister or
Commissioner designate for screening
by lawmakers and it is only after
nominees are approved by lawmakers
and administered oaths of offices and
allegiance that they are allocated
Ministries.

 In Government procedures
across Nigeria, only Special Advisers,
Heads of Federal or State Government
establishments, commissioners in
commissions and certain chief
executives are announced by a
President or Governor stating their
specific responsibilities at the time of
their nomination for screening by
lawmakers or in some cases, they are
out-rightly sworn in without
lawmakers’ screening, depending on
constitutional requirements.

''Therefore, to say that Governor
Kashim Shettima has nominated Mrs
Kwambura as commissioner for
education and that she was to undergo
screening at the Borno State House of
Assembly simply indicates crass
ignorance on government procedures
and which goes to confirm that the
story was indeed, nothing more than a
joke that should only be told during
comedy shows to entertain audience.

For the purpose of those who might
have taken that joke seriously, it can
be verified that since the dissolution
of the Borno State Executive Council
on May 27, 2015, Governor Kashim
Shettima is yet to nominate anyone
for office of Commissioner.