Special Report: Aftermath of Nasarawa’s 3-Day Governance Retreat: Commissioner Danladi Rallies Ministry Staff Towards Action, Accountability, and Synergy

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SPECIAL REPORT

BY SULEIMAN ABUBAKAR RIMI UKU LAFIA 

Aftermath of Nasarawa’s 3-Day Governance Retreat: Commissioner Danladi Rallies Ministry Staff Towards Action, Accountability, and Synergy

Lafia, Nasarawa State – Following the recently concluded three-day management retreat organized by the Nasarawa State Government in Abuja for political appointees, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Isaac Danladi, has convened a crucial post-retreat briefing and strategy session with the Permanent Secretary, directors, and staff of the ministry to cascade key takeaways and forge a path forward.

The retreat, themed “Transforming Nasarawa State Through Synergy and Collaborative Leadership”, was organized by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and fully sponsored by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State. It brought together commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, and select permanent secretaries from key government offices—including those of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Secretary to the State Government.

Bridging the Gap: Train-the-Trainer Initiative

Addressing the staff, Hon. Danladi emphasized the critical need to bridge the gap between political office holders and civil service functionaries. He described his meeting as a continuation of the “train-the-trainer” mandate given to retreat participants.

“As a commissioner who rose from the bureaucracy, I volunteered to be among those who would return and cascade the retreat’s lessons to our staff,” he stated. “We must begin to internalize what collaborative leadership looks like.”

Permanent Secretary Reaffirms Commitment to Reform

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hussaini Usman Babayayi, called on staff and directors to embrace the ministry’s renewed mandate with unity and purpose.

“This mandate demands teamwork, technical capacity, and a new mindset. We must sanitize our approach and ensure we work collectively, particularly in areas of data gathering and revenue generation,” Babayayi stressed. 

He decried the absence of proper documentation for revenue collection, emphasizing the need for synergy with internal revenue services.

He also warned against poor work ethics, particularly absenteeism, stating, “If you’re not ready to work, we’ll find those who are.”

Zero Tolerance for Laxity

The General Manager of the Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Iliya Yusuf Adeke, echoed concerns over declining discipline, warning that it would no longer be business as usual.

“We need a change in attitude. Punctuality and performance must become our new standard,” he said.

Similarly, Director of Administration and Supply, Alhaji Musa Aboki, urged directors to enforce discipline, saying, “Directors must not grant staff arbitrary permissions. All leave or absences should pass through the appropriate channels.”

He commended the commissioner’s openness and inclusiveness, adding, “This is the first time a commissioner has returned from a retreat to brief and engage staff comprehensively. This must set the new standard for leadership.”

Towards a Strategic Implementation Plan

The session concluded with directors and the Permanent Secretary retreating to the commissioner’s office to deliberate further on the ministry’s new mandate.

Hon. Danladi charged the leadership to develop a Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) aligned with the retreat’s objectives. “Let’s break the mandate down, identify who can do what, estimate costs, and draw in relevant government agencies, NGOs, and even private partners,” he said.

Highlighting the untapped potential for external funding and grants, the commissioner emphasized, “There’s money hanging in the air; we just need the skill and drive to access it. Let’s act with urgency and present a clear, coordinated SIP to His Excellency.”

Conclusion

The meeting signals a new era of proactive governance within the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Stakeholders praised the commissioner’s initiative and pledged renewed commitment to the ministry’s goals driven by accountability, teamwork, and shared vision.