Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has advised his commissioners, special advisers and permanent secretaries not to be complacent, docile and corrupt, as their appointments are not an opportunity for selfish gains.

The governor handed down the warning, yesterday, during the swearing-in of the commissioners at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna.

Bago said the appointees were selected strictly on merit, competence and proven record of hard work, charging them to bring their wealth of experience and excellence to bear.

He said: “If you allow yourself to be caught in the twisted web of corruption, you will be shown the way out.”

The governor tasked them to embrace teamwork and complement each other as key drivers of government’s policies and programmes to achieve the desired objective of the administration.

He appreciated the leadership and members of the House of Assembly and the judiciary for their contribution to the success of the event, saying it was an indication of a harmonious working relationship among the three arms of government, which he is determined to maintain.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, explained that the selection, confirmation and inauguration of the appointees passed through a thorough process.

He urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and be guided by the oath they have sworn to.

Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, administered the oath of office and allegiance on the new appointees.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Morris Magaji, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, as well as special advisers and permanent secretaries, appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve and promised to work with courage, dignity, respect and humility to ensure the realization of the policy thrusts of the Bago-led administration.