The Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has transitioned to a new administrative phase on Friday as the outgoing Commissioner, Alhaji Salihu Baba Alkali, formally handed over the affairs of the ministry to the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Jalo Ibrahim Ali.
The ceremony, held in the ministry’s conference room, was attended by a large gathering of staff, friends, and well-wishers following the recent dissolution of the State Executive Council by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The transition comes as a result of the Governor’s directive aimed at allowing political office holders seeking elective positions in the 2027 General Election to pursue their respective ambitions.
In his valedictory address, Alkali, who holds the traditional title of Katukan Nafada, expressed his deep appreciation to Governor Yahaya for the privilege of serving in such a sensitive cabinet role.
He described his tenure as a significant learning experience and praised the Governor’s visionary leadership while commending the ministry’s management and staff for maintaining a cordial and productive working environment.
Reflecting on his time in office, Alkali specifically noted the dedication of the Permanent Secretary and the support of his immediate staff, including his confidential secretary and personal assistant.
He took the opportunity to seek forgiveness for any friction that might have occurred during the high-pressure demands of public service, stating that “there is a time for everything,” and that his departure was in strict alignment with government directives.
The Commissioner’s stewardship between 2023 and 2026 was marked by several institutional milestones, most notably the consistent and timely preparation of annual budgets that received gubernatorial assent before the start of each fiscal year.
Under his watch, the ministry also saw the preparation of the Medium-Term Sector Strategy for 2025–2027 and a comprehensive review of the state’s 10-year development plan.
Beyond fiscal policy, Alkali oversaw significant human capital gains, including the promotion of 27 staff members and the transfer of various planning officers to the ministry to bolster its technical capacity.
Alkali’s tenure further facilitated the development and launch of critical state policies, including the Gombe State Agricultural Policy 2025–2029, the Youth and Industrial Policies of 2026, and a multi-sectoral plan of action for food and nutrition.
His administration was also credited with infrastructural improvements at the ministry, such as the construction of a water reservoir and the provision of modern firefighting equipment, alongside social interventions like the construction of fistula centers in Yamaltu-Deba.
Upon receiving the handover notes, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Jalo Ibrahim Ali, mni, lauded the outgoing Commissioner for his foresight and for fostering an environment that allowed the staff to thrive.
He credited Alkali with making the ministry “lively” and effective, offering prayers for his future success.
As the chief accounting officer, the Permanent Secretary has now assumed full administrative leadership of the ministry pending further directives from the state government, marking the end of a strategic chapter in Gombe’s economic planning.