News Editor
By our correspondent Bala Aliyu in Bauchi
Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) made history as it conducted for the first time virtual screening of a commissioner nominee, a veteran journalist, Usman Shehu Usman Zirami via the Zoom platform.
Usman was among the eight people that Governor Bala Abdukadir Muhammad nominated and asked for approval of the House to confirm them as Commissioners.
Usman, a one time Service Chief of Deutsche Welle Hausa Service was out of the country when he was nominated as a Commissioner and was not around, and the House agreed to screen him visually in a remarkable demonstration of technological advancement which reflects the legislative body’s commitment to embrace technology in its dealings, ensuring inclusivity and efficiency in governance.
Usman Shehu Usman, hails from Zirami, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, and began his early education with Islamic studies before proceeding to primary and secondary schools in the state.
He furthered his academic pursuit at the university level and is currently based in Germany.
Members of the Assembly asked Usman critical questions and he offered well-articulated and satisfactory answers to each question visually.
After he was screened, the House confirmed Usman Shehu Usman Zirami as a commissioner of the Bauchi State Executive Council, lauding his competence and readiness to serve the people of the state.
The virtual screening of a Commissooner nominee successfully excites both the legislatures and spectators and listeners who watched and listened to the screening live.
Usman Zirami who was screened via zoom, Many said the use of the Zoom platform for legislative screening marks a new chapter in Bauchi State’s legislative history and By leveraging technology, the Assembly demonstrated its forward-thinking approach, enabling participation irrespective of geographical barriers.
They said this move aligns with global best practices in governance and underscores the Assembly’s resolve to modernize its legislative processes.
The remaining seven new prospective commissioners who appeared and were screened physically before the legislature were Hon. Isa Babayo Tilde and Dr. Muhammad Lawal Rimin Zayam from Toro Local Government Ara, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad from Misau LG and Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi from Dass LG.
Others are Iliyasu Aliyu Gital and Prof. Titus Saul Ketkukah from Tafawa Balewa LG and Hon. Adamu Babayo Gabarin from Darazo LG”.
BAHA thereafter confirmed all the commissioners nominees forwarded to it by the state governor, Bala Abdukadir Muhammad for consideration.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman announced the confirmation after completion of the screening exercise during the plenary.
Also, the Assembly appreciated the Joint Action Committee of state-owned tertiary institutions for heeding its call to suspend its strike action.
The House described the gesture as a goodwill and trust in its commitment to ensuring that their demands are addressed by the state government.
The BAHA Speaker Abubakar Y. Suleiman, the Dan Gadiman Ningi gave the commendation after receiving the report of the House committee on Education in respect of recent stakeholders’ dialogue on the industrial action embarked upon by the tertiary institutions’ workers.
In the committee’s report, it recommended the need for the state government to implement the agreements reached during the meeting, particularly revised salary structure of CONPCASS and CONTEDIS, and form a monitoring body consisting of representatives from JAC, the state government and heads of the institutions to ensure compliance with the agreement.
Others recommendations include prioritising the education sector by ensuring that the sector receives adequate funding and staff to avoid industrial action.
