By Usman Usman Garba
The Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries has called for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, civil society organisations, and community leaders to tackle youth restiveness, drug abuse, and politically motivated violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and fifth anniversary celebration, where Chairman, Alhaji Is’haq Mahmoud Umar, presented the Executive Committee’s stewardship report.
Umar said the association remained committed to transparency, accountability, and service, revealing that the Executive Committee held 14 meetings over the past year to strengthen leadership and improve accountability.
He noted that members contributed to civil service reforms and participated in the National Assembly’s constitutional review process through submissions presented during the North-West public hearings.
The chairman disclosed that members donated more than N1.15 million during Ramadan to support bereaved families and colleagues facing serious health challenges, while also distributing rice and financial assistance.
According to him, the association cleared N550,000 in outstanding national dues through voluntary donations and maintained active engagement with the National Association of Retired State Permanent Secretaries of Nigeria.
Despite these achievements, Umar expressed concern over poor attendance at meetings, low participation in association activities, and inadequate financial support.
He revealed that only 44 members had completed consent forms for the proposed deduction of membership dues from their pensions, delaying the initiative.
He also lamented the association’s inability to secure a permanent secretariat from the Kano State Government, saying it still operates from a temporary office.
Speaking on national issues, Umar warned that rising political violence, youth restiveness, and drug abuse could threaten peaceful elections if not urgently addressed.
As part of its contribution to public policy, he said the association sponsored a research paper titled “Youth Restiveness: Drugs/Substance Abuse and Development in Kano State,” with recommendations to be forwarded to the Kano State Government.
He further advised members to use the association’s WhatsApp platform responsibly by avoiding partisan political discussions, stressing that the body must remain non-partisan while engaging government through constructive dialogue.
Umar commended the Kano State Government, particularly the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, for facilitating annual rice donations to bereaved and sick members.
He also appreciated past and present Heads of Service and other benefactors for their continued support.
On the association’s finances, Umar disclosed that as of the end of May 2026, it had N918,000 in cash and N961,386.87 in its bank account.
However, he noted that organising the AGM alone would cost about N760,000, underscoring the need for greater financial contributions from members.
He thanked members for their confidence in the Executive Committee and appealed for greater unity and participation as the current leadership nears the end of its second tenure.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his administration’s continued support.
In her remarks, the Head of Service, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, praised the retired permanent secretaries for their dedicated service to Kano State, assuring them that the government would continue to recognise their contributions.
She commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the payment of gratuities to state pensioners and pledged sustained collaboration between the Office of the Head of Service and the association to promote good governance.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, who was represented at the event, described the gathering as a reflection of the enduring legacy of the Kano State Civil Service.
He said the retirees devoted the best years of their lives to serving the state with honesty, discipline, and dedication, adding that their experience remains invaluable in mentoring younger civil servants and strengthening governance.
The AGM also featured the presentation of the association’s financial report by the Financial Secretary, Sunusi Sani, covering the period from July 1, 2025, to June 15, 2026.
The report showed total expenditure of N2.389 million and a closing balance of N868,373.50.
A major highlight of the fifth anniversary celebration was the presentation of a paper titled “Youth Restiveness: Drugs/Substance Abuse and Development in Kano State” by Dr. Aminu Shehu Ibrahim, Deputy Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dawanau.
Dr. Shehu identified unemployment, poverty, peer influence, poor living conditions, and illiteracy as major drivers of drug abuse.
He explained the consequences of substance abuse, including mental illness, antisocial behaviour, and its wider social and economic impact.
He stressed that many victims are arrested without receiving adequate mental health evaluation and treatment.
According to him, effective solutions require community engagement, prevention programmes, rehabilitation, and coordinated interventions that address the root causes of drug abuse rather than relying solely on law enforcement.