By Lawal Tanko
The 8-day Executive Retreat for Commissioners-Designate, Chairmen-Elect and their Deputies, Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries reached its seventh day today, Wednesday, 10th December 2025, at the Hauwa Isah Wali Multi-Purpose Hall, Government House, Minna.
The day featured a rich lineup of lectures delivered by distinguished resource persons who shared critical insights on governance, leadership and institutional performance.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, engaged Local Government Chairmen-Elect and their Deputies on Conflict Resolution at the Local Government Level, stressing the importance of structured dialogue, early intervention and community involvement in sustaining peace and stability.
Former Minister of Commerce, Engr. Mustapha Bello, spoke to Permanent Secretaries on Ward Development as a Tool for Community Development, underscoring the need for grassroots planning and inclusive participation to drive sustainable development outcomes.
Former Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, addressed Permanent Secretaries and Commissioners-Designate on Developing and Implementing Ministerial Plans as well as Finalizing Action Plans, offering guidance on strategic planning, effective coordination and seamless execution of Government policies.
Retired Head of Service, Engr. Abubakar Salisu, trained Special Advisers on Crafting Effective Policy Briefs, equipping them with techniques for producing clear, concise and actionable advisory documents for decision-making.
Governance expert, Dr. Isah Adamu, delivered a session for Commissioners-Designate on Leadership, Communication and Service Delivery, where he emphasized accountable leadership, clarity in communication and commitment to service excellence.
Similarly, Prof. Bala Salihu enlightened Special Advisers on Digital Transformation in Government, highlighting the role of technology in enhancing transparency, efficiency and innovation in public service.
In the afternoon, the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, joined the group discussions and shared practical leadership experiences focused on teamwork, reward systems, trust and love as essential components of effective governance.
Day 7 further strengthened the retreat’s overarching goal of empowering public officials with the tools, knowledge and capacity required to deliver responsive, efficient and people-centered governance across Niger State.