Governor Namadi Appoints Seasoned Politician for ES SEMA, Former Chief for Social Security Role
By Abdulhamid Sani Dutse
Dutse, Jigawa State – May 12, 2025 – In a strategic move to bolster Jigawa State’s emergency response and social welfare frameworks, Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi has today announced two significant appointments. Seasoned politician Hannafi Yakubu Fagam has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), while Haruna Mairiga, a former head of SEMA, will now serve as the Governor’s Special Adviser on Social Security.
The appointments, confirmed in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Malam Bala Ibrahim, are effective immediately.
Hannafi Yakubu Fagam, who hails from Fagam in Gwaram Local Government Area, steps into the critical leadership role at SEMA, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous tenure as the state’s Commissioner for Finance between 2007 and 2011. This financial background is seen by observers as potentially beneficial for resource management and strategic allocation within an agency crucial for disaster mitigation and relief.
In a noteworthy reshuffle, Haruna Mairiga’s appointment as Special Adviser on Social Security sees him return to a key governmental role with an intimate understanding of public vulnerability. His prior experience as Executive Secretary of SEMA provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges citizens face and the support systems required, which will now inform his advisory capacity on broader social security initiatives.
The government’s statement underscored that both appointments were “made based on merit, competence, and personal integrity.” It further conveyed Governor Namadi’s expectation that Fagam and Mairiga will “work diligently to uphold the trust placed in them and contribute significantly to the state’s development.”
Analysis & Context: SEMA Leadership and Gwaram Politics
The leadership of SEMA is pivotal in Jigawa State, which, like many parts of Nigeria, faces challenges such as seasonal flooding, droughts, and other emergencies requiring swift and effective response. An experienced hand like Fagam, with a background in state finance, is expected to bring a strong administrative and fiscal discipline to SEMA’s operations, ensuring that resources are efficiently deployed for preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
The appointment of Hannafi Yakubu Fagam, originating from Fagam in Gwaram Local Government Area, is also significant from a political standpoint. Gwaram is a populous and politically influential LGA in Jigawa State. High-profile appointments of individuals from such key areas are often interpreted as moves to ensure regional representation, consolidate political support, and strengthen party loyalty within crucial constituencies. Governor Namadi’s choice may be seen as a nod to the political importance of Gwaram and a strategic placement of a trusted ally in a sensitive position.
Furthermore, the synergistic appointments – with a former SEMA ES (Mairiga) now advising on Social Security and a former Finance Commissioner (Fagam) heading SEMA – suggest a potentially more integrated approach to disaster management and social welfare. Mairiga’s firsthand knowledge of emergency impacts can directly inform the development of robust social security programs, while Fagam’s financial acumen can help SEMA operate more effectively.
The citizens of Jigawa will be watching closely to see how these new leaders will leverage their experience to enhance the state’s resilience to emergencies and improve the social safety net for its most vulnerable populations. The immediate effect of these appointments signals the Governor’s intent to act decisively on these critical fronts.
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