Kano State governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s Chief of Staff Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani ranks above the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service and commissioners in rank, functions and schedule of responsibilities and is the most senior political appointee in the state, that is according to a government circular issued to ministries, departments and other parastatals from the Cabinet Office.
It is the first time in Kano’s history that a governor has appointed a chief of staff. Kwankwaso established the office primarily to assist him discharge his duties effectively and efficiently since the office provides a central coordinating point where all aspects of state administration and the overall state’s political machinery converge for effective governance.
The elevation of the chief of staff above these top government officers, according to the circular, is because his office is “crucial to the successful and smooth operation of contemporary affairs and governance” of the state, besides the fact that the office is the most senior political position among all appointments made by the governor.
The circular, a copy of which Daily Trust obtained, said the chief of staff structurally operates like the commissioners but “at a higher and more senior level in view of the strategic position of his office.” His approval limit and span of control is much higher and broader than that of commissioners, the circular stated.
By virtue of his position, he is expected to advise the governor and provide extensive administrative assistance and recommendations on state matters to the governor, commissioners and other heads of government ministries, departments and agencies, according to the circular.
He is also expected to work directly with the governor, commissioners of finance and budget and planning as well as accountant general in preparation of the state budget and to attend all budget meetings with or on behalf of the governor and advice him on budgetary matters, capital improvements and grants to various sections of the state administration.
The circular also said administratively, his office is the main link and clearing house of the Governor’s Office in its relations with the various levels of government, the legislature, the judiciary and other arms of the public service, saying the chief of staff has the right to attend cabinet meetings and other official functions as the governor’s representative in the same way commissioners represent their ministries.
He is also expected to advise the governor on a variety of state issues and assist in developing policy in all areas of legal obligations for the state as defined in state, federal, statute, edicts and local government ordinances, administrative codes, policies and procedures.
The chief of staff is also given the powers to control, direct and coordinate all communications to and from the governor’s office to other sections of the administration as well as to directly, and on behalf of the state governor, with all levels of government, including federal, state and local government councils in the state.
The Chief of Staff, Dr. Yunusa Dangwani, was a former Chief Medical Director of the Murtala Mohamed Specialist Hospital, Kano and a former Executive Secretary of the state’s Health Services Management Board. He is also is a long time associate of Governor Kwankwaso.
Our reporter could not reach both the state commissioner for information Prof Faruk Umar Jibril and director of press Umar Sa’idu Tudun Wada to further explain on the rational behind the too much power given to the chief of staff, as they did not his calls. However, Governor Kwankwaso recently said while swearing in the chief of staff that the CoS is the most senior political appointee in the state.
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