Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has said he will give the state such a leadership that will launch it as one of the best-administered states not only in Nigeria but the whole world.
Fintiri, who made the commitment in his maiden speech after he was sworn in at the state capital, Yola, on Wednesday afternoon, warned members of a criminal youth group called Shilla Boys to cease their anti-social activities as his government would not tolerate them.
“True change has come to Adamawa State. I pledge to provide leadership that is required to make things work for the good of all,” Fintiri told a huge crowd that gathered at the Ribadu Square venue of the inauguration ceremony.
He added, “My aspiration for Adamawa State is for it to be listed among the committee of respected states not only in Nigeria but the world as a whole. The central message is that we will bring development and make Adamawa State a standard to copy.”
The new Governor said he recognised that the task would be difficult but that it is achievable, adding that, “It is not what resources you have but how you manage them.”
He said that the security of life will be his primary responsibility, and singled out a particular frequent source of security breaches stressing that, “In this regard, let me sound a note of warning to the local cult group currently terrorizing our neighbourhood not to test our resolve but to stop it or ship out. The so-called Shilla group have two weeks from today to embrace civility or face the full wrath of the law.”
Fintiri, who endeared himself to Adamawa people in 2014 when he served briefly as an acting governor of the state by settling salary arrears owed civil servants at the time, said payment of salaries would also be highly regarded this time.
“Payment of salaries, pension and gratuity on time shall be my priority, as well as yearly salary increment and promotion. We shall strive to build a robust government-labour relationship,” he assured.
