Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Wednesday swore in newly appointed Special Advisers and inaugurated several strategic governing councils and committees.
The ceremony held at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, was part of efforts to strengthen governance, enhance service delivery, and drive development across key sectors including energy, road safety, mining, and climate action.
The inaugurated bodies include the Plateau State Electricity Regulatory Commission, chaired by Ambassador Bagudu Hirse; the State Road Safety Advisory Council, chaired by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo; the Energy Corporation Board; and the Committee on Carbon Sequestration for the Jatropha-to-Biofuel Project, a partnership with Noah Regen aimed at leveraging Plateau’s indigenous Jatropha plant for renewable energy and carbon credit opportunities on the global stage.
Governor Mutfwang emphasised the administration’s focus on professionalism and competence over political affiliation in the appointment process, describing the move as a milestone in the government’s commitment to deepening governance and ensuring qualified individuals drive the state’s development agenda.
Among those sworn in were Theophilus Dakas Shan as Special Adviser on National Party Affairs,Habila Mutla as Special Adviser on Grassroots Soccer Development, Dr Abong—former Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria—as Special Adviser on Livestock and Veterinary Services, and Emmanuel Dung Gyibok as Special Assistant on Mines.
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Governor Mutfwang explained that Mutla’s redeployment from Plateau United FC to grassroots sports was part of a strategic effort to revitalise inter-school sports and restore Plateau’s legacy as a hub for football talent.
He tasked Gyibok with organising artisanal miners into structured cooperatives to enhance their inclusion in the mineral value chain and promote sustainable mining practices.Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to make Plateau a key player in Nigeria’s power sector, the governor recalled the state’s legacy as the host of the country’s first hydroelectric station.
He pledged to build on that foundation amid ongoing deregulation, noting that the appointment of Ambassador Hirse was informed by his previous leadership in energy sector reforms.
On the climate front, Mutfwang announced Plateau’s entry into the global carbon credit market through the launch of the Jatropha-to-Biofuel initiative.
He stated that the state’s natural resources present a unique opportunity to absorb global emissions while generating economic value and promoting renewable energy development.
He urged all appointees to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and dedication in the discharge of their duties, stressing that their performance would be closely monitored in line with the administration’s vision for accountable and effective governance.
