Tuesday, 20th June 2023, marked the official resumption date for Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi as Permanent Secretary at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development since his swearing-in and inauguration by Governor Abdullahi Sule on 13th May 2023.
After handing over as Secretary and Head of Administration at his last office at the Nasarawa State Water Board, a formal handing and taking over ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development where Danladi succeeded Mallam Isah Mohammed Eyah who has been redeployed to the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources as Permanent Secretary.
In his maiden remarks as Permanent Secretary, Danladi applauded the achievements of his predecessor despite his short spell at the Organization and promised to consolidate his track records and work in unison with the Management and Staff of the Ministry to attain its core mandates.
“I wish to appreciate God Almighty who made it possible for me to be appointed as Permanent Secretary in the service of Nasarawa State.
“I want to also show my profound gratitude and appreciation to the Executive Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule for finding me fit and proper to be appointed as permanent Secretary and posted to a Ministry he knows I have so much passion for.
“I am not new to the Ministry because I have been working in tandem with the Ministry for the past 27 years now, serving in various capacities and as such in familiar terrain.
“I have worked under over ten Commissioners and as well over twelve Permanent Secretaries in this Ministry, but I wish to say that I enjoyed a very wonderful, symbiotic working relationship with Mallam Isah Mohammed Eyah.
“When I learned about my posting to this Ministry, it was a case of sadness and joy, and this is because I was wondering where he had been posted to and joyous that I would contribute my quota to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“I have never for once had issues with him and this was because I was being frank and open to him about issues of Nasarawa United FC. He gave me a soft landing even at difficult and trying periods during his time as Permanent Secretary of this Ministry.
“Fortunately, you are not retiring, rather, you are going to another Ministry where I believe your worth will be equally felt by the Government and people of the State.”
The new Permanent Secretary, Danladi however, called on the Management and Staff of the Ministry to accord him the same support given to the out-gone Permanent Secretary and be committed to their official duties.
Earlier, the out-gone Permanent Secretary, Isah Eyah, congratulated his successor and thanked Management and Staff for supporting him to succeed during his short spell at the Ministry.
“Congratulations on your new appointment and subsequent posting to this Ministry.
“Retrospectively, the new Permanent Secretary, Danladi and I once wrote an exam together for promotion to the post of Permanent Secretary, even though he didn’t get the needed promotion then, but I am glad that he has reached the pinnacle of the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary today.
“We have interfaced on official grounds concerning our darling Nasarawa United Football Club in the past and got issues tackled.
“As for the Management and Staff of this Ministry, I want to thank you for all you have done for me in this Ministry. I am short of words because your eulogies get me emotional.
“I didn’t know anybody when I first resumed duties here. Virtually everyone I met here, I never had anything in common with them before, but with God and with your support, we have done our best, despite daunting challenges.
“I think what made us stand out was that we were transparent, sincere, and inclusive knowing fully well that no one can do it all by himself – we worked as a team.
“I thank you so immensely for the excellent working relationship and I pray we sustain this wonderful working relationship, going forward.”
He urged members of the Ministry to support his successor to excel at his new portfolio.
“What I want from you is to give him more support than you have given me so that he can do his maximum best.
“We have already laid a foundation of relationship. Let’s keep building on this foundation and complete the building of a stronger bond.
“However, wherever I have offended you in the course of my leadership as Permanent Secretary, I plead your forgiveness. It wasn’t done to witch-hunt anyone but to get the job done.
“On my part, I have no grudge against anyone, even for a day, so, I have no reason not to forgive anyone.”
Some of the Management members, including the Directors of Administration and Supplies, Isa Mustapha, Sports Organizing, Lawrence Shammah, and Facilities and Stadium Management, Ahmad Yusuf, as well as Staff, including Jonathan Gabu and Felicia Obile Allu, eulogized the leadership virtues of the out-gone Permanent Secretary and his contributions to the Ministry and her staff, wishing him success in his new office.
Highlights of the ceremony were the presentation of the handover note to the new Permanent Secretary and photographs.
