Ibrahim Kashim has resigned as secretary to the state government (SSG) Bauchi.

NAN reports that Mukhtar Gidado, media aide to Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, announced Kashim’s resignation in a statement on Friday.

Gidado said the Bauchi governor has accepted the resignation, adding that Aminu Gamawa, the chief of staff, will temporarily take up the role of acting SSG.

“Governor Bala Mohammed has accepted the resignation of the secretary to the state government, Mr. Ibrahim Kashim, with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

“The chief of staff, government house, Bauchi, Mr. Aminu Gamawa, has been directed to take over from him in an acting capacity.

“Governor Mohammed, on behalf of the government and the people of Bauchi state, thanked him for the services he rendered to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours.”

Kashim was appointed SSG in 2019, but he resigned during the build-up to the 2023 elections.

Bamidele Salam, chairman of the house of representatives committee on public accounts, has called for increased participation of Nigerian women in politics.

Speaking during the visit of Grace Ike, first female chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the federal capital territory (FCT), Salam said Nigeria needs to do better on the inclusivity front.

He said the country should emulate the likes of Rwanda, with 60 percent of members of parliament being women; and Kenya, with about 50 percent women in parliament.

Salam added that Nigeria should make deliberate efforts to ensure that more women participate in politics and governance. The legislator said merit and capacity to deliver are not exclusive to a particular gender.

In her remarks, Ike said her leadership is committed to strengthening the relationship between the media and the legislature.

She said the NUJ recognises the critical role that the house public accounts committee plays in ensuring that public funds are judiciously utilised.

“We believe that a strong and independent media is essential to a functioning democracy, and we are committed to playing our part in promoting good governance,” she said.

Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, has defended Monday Okpebholo, governor of the state.

On Tuesday, Okpebholo stuttered before lawmakers while reading figures from his 2025 budget proposal.

The governor said the N605 billion appropriation bill represents a 25 percent increase from the 2024 budget.

“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”

Okpebholo’s admission elicited laughter and murmurs in equal doses from the lawmakers.

Defending the snafu, Tenebe said Okpebholo struggles with figures because he does not know how to steal public funds.

“He is the governor of the state, he is performing and he’ll continue to perform and anybody who does not like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes. Period!”