A councillor in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State has appointed 18 people as personal aides to assist him in discharging the responsibility of his office.
In an appointment that went viral on social media, the councillor, Yahaya A.G. Yusuf, who is representing Bajoga East in the Funakaye local council, appointed a Principal Private Secretary (PPS), 12 special assistants and five personal assistants.
Among them are special assistants on political matters, Empowerment and Orphans, Legal and Security Matters, Protocol, Women Affairs and personal assistants on Islamic and Christian Religious Affairs, respectively as well as PA on Public Complaint and PA on the Disabled and Physically Challenged among others.
In a telephone interview with North East Trust, the councillor confirmed the appointments, saying the gesture was geared towards serving his people very well in his capacity as their representative in the local council.
He said he was already an established businessman when he joined politics, adding that he vied for the councillorship seat to serve and make positive impact on his constituents’ lives.
“It is not that I am rich, but my salary and allowances are enough to settle monthly salaries of the people I appointed because I joined politics to touch people’s lives not to accumulate wealth,” he said.
Yusuf added that he has also renovated a portion of a road in his area, in addition to scholarship scheme for primary, secondary and tertiary school students of the Funakaye LGA.
“I am already sponsoring 40 pupils and students under my foundation, where I am providing scholarship to 20 pupils from Primary 3 – 6 and 20 secondary school students from SS I – SS III.
“That is in addition to three students of higher institutions here in Bajoga,” he explained.
The 40-year-old Sociology undergraduate of University of Maiduguri is the current chairman of Gombe Councillors’ Forum, an umbrella body of councillors from 114 wards of the state.
He had previously served as personal assistant as well as special assistant to former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
(Text, Daily Trust, excluding headline)
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