“It’s more difficult to stay on top than to get there”. –Mie Hamm.
The role of chief of staff to the president or governor is is a crucial one. In the last two decades, the position in the country has gained much traction to become a vital appointment to be made by a president and the governors. In terms of growing importance the occupier of such position has a crucial role in ensuring the success of his principal who has entrusted him with such a tasking role. The primary function of a chief of staff, which may vary according to the needs and desires of each president, are to supervise key State House staff, control access to the office and the person of the president or governor and manage communications and information flow, which might include that which bind the relationship with the two other arms of government. Against this backdrop, the Chief of Staff (CoS) position appears complex and unpredictable. It’s complex in the sense that it neither comes with a job description nor is there a qualification that gets one there.
It’s unpredictable because no one can say precisely how the occupier will perform. You never can say what brief a CoS gets from his principal. The position defies a cogent definition in terms of role and hierarchy, it is not one to be toyed with. In contrast, those occupying it are gatekeepers to power. Therefore, anyone appointed in such office has a crucial role in ensuring the success or otherwise of his principal and the administration at large because he had been entrusted to manage communications and information flow to the leader. In relation to this, the office of CoS has become a sort of busiest in Nigeria’s democracy. In terms of access to power, he is the first to see his principal and the last to bid him goodnight.
The chief of staff to the Yobe state Governor Abdullah Yusuf Gashua was appointed in June, 2019, until his appointment as the director of administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) headquarters. His reapportionment is a testimony that iGovernor Mai Mala Buni values competence, expertise and experience in his team, considering that Gashua as a gatekeeper and head of the administration at Yobe Government House runs the affairs of the office with impeccable record.
It is worth stressing the role and responsibilities of the chief of staff and the method of communication and arranging schedules between cabinet members and the governor. He also maintains the governor’s relationship with the other two arms of government, serves as the link between cabinet members and the governor and simultaneously arranges the schedule of the governor’s appointments and manages the flow of information, people and advising the governor on various issues.
The complex tasks before Abdullahi Yusuf Gashua include prioritising competing demands, filtering information, and ensuring that his principal’s time is used effectively. This involves making difficult decisions about who gets access to the leader and what issues require immediate attention.
Importantly, his human management prowess helps him towards supporting the Buni administration in providing good governance and successfully delivering programmes which have direct bearing on Yobeans. He has exhibited sterling leadership qualities through his ability to think and act strategically in difficult situations that require swift response for problem solving.
Abdullahi Yusuf Gashua is a humble and highly disciplined public officer whose dedication to work is uncommon. Efficient time management and keeping to promises are among major yardsticks of assessing someone holding public office like that of a chief of staff to the Yobe state governor, as any delicate role requires a high level of trust, confidentiality, influence, and diplomacy. Abdullahi Yusuf Gashua has ensured the smooth functioning of the administration’s policies and supporting Governor Buni effectively.
Since the inception of the administration, he has played a silent, but crucial role in supporting the Buni administration’s fight against insecurity, mitigation of humanitarian crisis, rehabilitation and resettlement of victims through his official duty. Opera, as he is fondly called, is a man of integrity, who serves the governor with the highest commitment, loyalty and sincerity. In spite of the delicate nature of his position, the CoS’s selfless qualities in human management helps him discharge his duty unblemished even though the nature of his position lies in the potential for criticism or backlash from those who are denied access or feel their concerns are not adequately addressed.
Abba Dukawa,
Kano
