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Faleke Tasks Civil Servants to Resist Political Pressure

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has said Nigeria’s quest for rapid development depends largely on the willingness of civil servants to uphold integrity and due process, even in the face of pressure from political office holders.

Faleke spoke in Abuja on Sunday evening on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers,” written by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from service.

The lawmaker said civil servants remain the backbone of governance and play a critical role in ensuring that government policies and programmes are implemented in line with established rules and procedures.

“The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” Faleke said.

“And if the civil servant decides to get this done properly, I think the country will be better off. Even when the politician says, let us do it the other way, and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off.”

According to him, dedication to national development requires a genuine commitment to the country’s success and institutions.

“It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria. When you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country,” he added.

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Faleke described Okoro as a dedicated, committed and hardworking public servant whose career should serve as an example to younger generations entering public service.

“Okoro is a very hardworking guy. Unlike others, he is not money-conscious; he just wants to see things done accordingly and appreciably. For every time I push him hard, he works harder. I believe he is going to succeed very well in his retirement,” he said.

Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abubakar Saidu, said his relationship with Okoro had grown beyond official engagement into a family bond.

He described the retiring clerk as a consummate professional whose conduct and work ethic offer valuable lessons for younger public servants.

“He is very dedicated, very patient. He is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it comes to the job,” Saidu said.

The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, also paid tribute to Okoro, describing him as a model public servant whose career embodied integrity, diligence and commitment to duty.

“My encouragement to people in service is that this is the kind of person to model and pattern their careers after, people who have integrity and diligence as their watchword,” Rotimi said.

He noted that although the National Assembly has institutional mechanisms for mentoring and leadership development, Okoro’s experience and expertise would be difficult to replace.

Responding, Okoro attributed his achievements in public service to God, hard work, patience and humility.

“Life itself is a very difficult and cautious journey. You have to know your onions, be hardworking, be patient, humble and respectful. If these are lacking, you are bound to fail either in the National Assembly or anywhere in life,” he said.

The retired clerk said he would return to legal practice and consultancy while devoting more time to mentoring young people and serving God.

Earlier, the reviewer of the book, Professor Kabir Danladi of the Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University, described the publication as a reflection of the author’s dedication during his 27 years of service.

Danladi said the 335-page book provides a practical guide to the workings of Nigeria’s legislature, particularly the National Assembly, covering its constitutional foundations, internal structures, legislative procedures, oversight responsibilities and relationship with other arms of government.

According to him, the book is organised into nine chapters and offers both historical and practical insights into legislative practice, making it a valuable resource for lawmakers, political actors, students and citizens seeking a deeper understanding of parliamentary governance.

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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