He said that, like all other years, the year 2023 has had its challenges in the economic, political, and social spheres of human life, but “to the glory of God Almighty, these challenges have been surmounted and here we are in the dawn of the new year, looking forward to a peaceful and prosperous 2024.”
The Governor stated this in his New Year Message to Nigerians made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, on Sunday.
He said: “I congratulate the good people of Bauchi State and Nigerians for overcoming the myriads of challenges in the year 2023. As a people, we have remained steadfast in the face of economic downturns, ecological disasters, and security challenges. Our trust in God who, through our collective prayers, made it possible for us to weather the storm.”
Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, said that despite the paucity of funds, his administration strived to provide dividends of democracy to the Bauchi people in various sectors.
While thanking the people for giving him a mandate for another term, he assured that he would raise the bar of performance by deepening consultation, stake-holding, and community engagement.
“It is gratifying to note that in spite of the paucity of funds, we have not relented in our drive towards the provision of infrastructural and Social facilities, especially in the areas of Roads Reconstruction, Mass Housing, Urban Renewal, and Education. We have also recorded significant strides in reviving Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, and Youth Development.
“I wish to once again thank the good people of Bauchi State and commend their sagacity for giving me the mandate to serve them for another four years, in Sha Allah.
“Let me assure you that as a Government, we will, during our second tenure, raise the bar of performance and push the frontiers of progress as well as socio-economic and political inclusion as our strategy for providing more dividends of democracy to our people.
“To this end, we will continue to deepen consultation, stake-holding, and community engagement, which are essential for good governance. This stakeholder ownership will emphasize the rights and obligations of the citizens.
“For emphasis also, we consider it the inalienable right of the people to hold the Government accountable to the taxpayer. We will also strive to honour the maxim of being our brothers’ keepers and to demonstrate, in word and deed, that ours is a caring government that recognises the voter beyond the election day,” he said.
The Governor, who vowed that his administration would continue to give priority to security so that the lives and properties of everyone living in the state would be guaranteed, called on the people to cooperate with the government and security agencies so that problems of insecurity would be addressed.
He said, “We have equally resolved to continue to maintain Security by remaining vigilant against the activities of criminal elements. I want to assure you that criminals and their collaborators will have no safe haven in Bauchi State. The government will continue to give security agencies in the state the necessary support to deal effectively and efficiently with security challenges that might arise.
“I call on you all to also cooperate with security personnel by reporting suspicious movements or persons to them. I need not tell you that the fight against insecurity is a collective responsibility.
“Finally, I appeal for the prayers, cooperation, and understanding of our traditional rulers, religious leaders, stakeholders, and politicians across party affiliations for peace, tranquility, and prosperity to continue to reign supreme in Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.”
